Archive: Around Town

ITHACA, NY - Childre in Kindergarten through 5th grade will participate in a new Sciencenter contest this winter. Cosmic Contest provides an opportunity for kids to learn about earth and space sciences while completing an art or writing project.

"Cosmic Contest builds on our previously successful Science Minutes writing contest," said Rae Ostman, Sciencenter Director of Education. "With NASA/NY Space Grant Consortium at Cornell University contributing funds, the Sciencenter has provided a science writing contest to local children every year since 2000."

To participate in the new Cosmic Contest, children in grades K-2 will create an original artwork presenting a topic related to earth or space sciences, with a caption or short story explaining their work. A fun project for kids in grades K-2 is to learn about constellations, then create their own constellation (from their imagination or by looking at star maps) and write a story about it.

Children in grades 3-5 can submit a brief essay (a paragraph to a page in length) about a topic of their choice in the earth or space sciences. Students can explore NASA's website for inspiration.

All contest participants will receive free admission passes to the Sciencenter. The Sciencenter will select three winning entries for each grade level. Winning entries will be featured on the museum's website and each winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the Sciencenter Store.

Entries are due February 1.

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