Students express their energy smarts through a variety of formats, including posters, narratives, letters, picture books, TikToks, anime or comic strips, public service announcements, community based projects, and infographics.

Please note some of our contest prompts have changed! All contest prompts align with Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards for Math and English Language Arts. Winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony.

Eligibility

The contest is open to all Connecticut students in kindergarten through grade 12. All contest entries must include a completed and signed eesmarts Student Contest Consent & Entry Form.

Teachers who have used and evaluated the eesmarts lesson materials are especially encouraged to have their students participate, though this is not a requirement.

Judging

Judges will consider factual and scientific accuracy, originality, clarity of thought, readability, persuasiveness, creativity and appearance. Entries depicting violence or content of an inappropriate nature will be disqualified.

Prizes

For Kindergarten through Grade 12 (at each grade level)

• First Prize: $300 Amazon gift card
• Second Prize: $200 Amazon gift card
• Third Prize: $100 Amazon gift card

Length & Format

• Kindergarten through Grade 2 - Posters must be 8.5" by 11" in size. They may be created in any medium (crayons, watercolors, markers, pastels, etc.). Entries for grades K-2 can be submitted online (preferred) or mailed to: eesmarts contest, c/o CREC, attn: Susan Long/CRG, 111 Charter Oak Ave, Hartford, CT 06106.
• Grades 3 through 8 - Word limits for written entries in each grade level are specified in the grade level prompt (below).  Entries must be typed and submitted online.
• Grades 9 through 11- All project plans must be between 4 and 6 pages in length – you can include graphs, diagrams, budget tables and references only if they support your plan. Entries must be typed and submitted online. Submissions must include the  2022 Grades 9-11 Student Contest Project Cover Sheet
• Grade 12 - Entries must be submitted online. Entries must be submitted as a Word document or a PDF.

Additional resources:

• Educator Pamphlet
• eesmarts STUDENT CONTEST CONSENT & ENTRY FORM - English
• eesmarts STUDENT CONTEST CONSENT & ENTRY FORM - Spanish
• Parent Cover Letter for Consent Form – English
• Parent Cover Letter for Consent Form - Spanish

For more information, call 877-514-2594, or email eesmarts@EnergizeCT.com.

Where to send/submit entries. Online submissions are preferred.

If you attempted to upload submissions previously and had issues, please clear your cache before attempting to upload again.

Note: Eversource and UI reserve the right to reproduce any entry, in whole or in part, or display entries as a public exhibit. Students are not eligible if a parent or guardian serves as a judge for the contest.

Timeline

• All entries are due by 11:59 P.M. on April 28, 2023.
   

Labeling Requirements

Each entry should have the following information typed or neatly printed at the top, left-hand corner of each page (or on the back of poster entries for Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2).

• Student Name
• Grade
• School
• Town/City
• Educator’s Name
• Educator’s Email Address
• School Telephone

Entries without correct labeling will NOT be considered. For grades K-2 please send a completed contest registration form (the last page of the Educator Pamphlet) with each set of entries. You may use one registration form for multiple classes, but please use a second form to separate entries from different grades. For grades 3-12 please complete the online submission form. Be sure to include the information requested above on each entry.

All contest entries must include a completed eesmarts Student Contest Consent & Entry Form.

KINDERGARTEN, GRADE 1 & GRADE 2 – Saving Energy Poster Contest

Design a poster that shows how energy can be saved in your home, your school, or your community. Be creative and show your eesmarts in saving energy.
 

GRADE 3 – Narrative

Write a short story (250 words or less) about saving energy at home, your school, or in your community; think through recycling, conservation, food waste to energy, etc. Explain how your main character is conserving Earth’s limited resources by saving energy.
 

GRADE 4 – Letter to Principal

Write a letter (250 words or less) to the principal explaining the importance of saving energy at school. Your letter should include facts about energy, energy efficiency, and specific ideas how energy can be conserved and how the students can assist with saving energy at school. Remember to use a strong lead and supporting detail for your letter.
 

GRADE 5 – Children’s Picture Book

Create a picture book for children (5-8 pages) focused on the importance of conserving our natural resources and conserving energy. The target audience for your book are preschool children (ages 3-4) and can include simple sentences with up to a total of approximately 1000 words. Hard copy or digital formats will be accepted for submission.

GRADE 6 – Persuasive TikTok

Create a persuasive TikTok about how Connecticut can become more energy efficient. Include your recommendations for energy conservation, energy-efficient technologies and clean, renewable energy sources. Make sure to consider both sides of the argument (e.g., clean energy often costs more than fossil fuels, so what makes it worth the cost?).
 

GRADE 7 – Anime or Comic Strip

Create an anime or comic strip with 8-12 cells on energy conservation, an alternate energy source, or an environmental concern. Use your anime or comic strip to try to convince the readers that your opinion is scientifically valid.
 

GRADE 8 – Public Service Announcement

Prepare a public service announcement in the form of animated content for social media explaining what weatherization means and why it is important. Make sure the information is accurate and that the message is clear and persuasive. The video may be 30 to 90 seconds in length.

Winning announcements may be used as a component of the advertising campaign for Energize Connecticut programs. 

HIGH SCHOOL GRADES 9–11 – Community Based Project

Create a plan for a project that will help to address energy-related issues in your community. The plan should focus on energy conservation behaviors. The plan must include background information, data (e.g., projected energy savings and monetary savings), a draft timeline and an estimated project budget to be completed in one year time.

Plans will be evaluated on feasibility, detail and impact, use of energy-saving technologies, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. For projects to be implemented at your school or a town building be sure to work with the facilities personnel, administration, etc. Entries must be submitted online and include the 2023 Grades 9-11 Student Contest Project Cover Sheet.

Project can be an individual or group of 3 members or less. First Place winners will be awarded funding up to $1,200 toward implementation of their project.
 

HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 12 – Infographic

Produce a persuasive infographic that advocates for energy conservation or alternate energy sources. Infographics are eye-catching, concise overviews (typically one page) that contain images, data visualizations (charts or graphs), and minimal text.

Entries will be evaluated based on scientific validity and concise and convincing imagery.

Entries may be shared via Google Docs to eesmarts@EnergizeCT.com or mailed to:

eesmarts Contest
c/o Capitol Region Education Council
attn: Susan Long/CRG
111 Charter Oak Ave
Hartford, CT 06106

General note related to submissions:
Winning projects may be featured by the Sponsors as content in Energize Connecticut program promotions.