2004 Stormwater Pollution Poster Contest

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Monday, January 10, 2005

 [ Entry Form ]

Sponsored by the Brandywine Valley Association and local Municipalities

Polluted stormwater runoff is the nation’s greatest threat to clean water.  The theme of this poster contest is: What You Can Do to Prevent Stormwater Pollution.  Learning about stormwater pollution and taking action to prevent it protects our valuable water resources.  As students research ideas for their posters they will be learning about non-point source pollution and its impacts on our waterways.  They will also learn how human activities result in polluted runoff entering our local streams.  Join the BVA and your local municipality on getting out the word on how to prevent stormwater pollution.  Not only can your students win valuable prizes but they also learn about humans and the environment, environmental health and environmental laws. 

The specific environmental standards addressed by participation in this contest are:

• 4.1.7B. Understand the role of the watershed
• 4.3.7B. Describe how human actions affect the health of the environment
• 4.8.7C. Explain how human activities affect local, regional and national enviornments
• 4.8.7D. Importance of maintaining natural resources
• 4.9.7A. Role of environmental laws and regulations

Stormwater picks up debris, chemicals, dirt, animal waste and other pollutants as it flows over surfaces such as driveways, roads and lawns.  Without proper stormwater management, this polluted runoff flows untreated into our streams, rivers and wetlands.  Polluted stormwater degrades important fish and wildlife habitats.  It is expensive to remove the harmful pollutants carried by stormwater into our drinking water supplies.  High levels of bacteria from polluted runoff can make swimming unsafe.  Everyone needs to adopt healthy household habits for clean water. 

Healthy Household Habits

1. Keep your nearest storm drain clear of debris and litter
2. Never dump anything down a storm drain
3. Use fertilizers sparingly
4. Use pesticides only when necessary
5. Do not blow grass clippings or leaves into the street
6. Sweep up yard debris rather than hosing down paved areas
7. Compost or recycle yard waste
8. Pick up pet waste and dispose of properly
9. Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on an unpaved area
10. Service your car regularly to prevent leaks onto paved areas
11. Dispose of household hazardous waste at designated collection locations
12. Produce less waste – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
13. Purchase and use nontoxic, biodegradable, recycled or recyclable products when ever possible
14. Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected at least every three years

For this contest students need to identify their local watershed and research local stormwater pollution issues.  To find their watershed students can go to www.dep.state.pa.us and click on “my watershed.”  Additional information on stormwater pollution and watersheds can be found on the following websites: www.epa.gov/, www.chesco.org/water/, www.environscape.com  and www.chesco.org/conservation/. 

Teachers interested in demonstrating non-point source pollution can the use the enviroscape model.   The enviroscape model can be borrowed from Chester County Conservation District or the BVA.  Teachers, parents and students should check the BVA website (www.brandywinewatershed.org) for information on environmental education programs, volunteer opportunities and Brandywine watershed events.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The contest is open to all 6^th grade students in participating public schools in Chester County. Individual students may enter as well as an entire class.  Each entry must have a sponsoring teacher listed on the entry form.

AWARDS

A first and second place winner will be selected from each participating school.  A grand prize and runner up will be selected from all first and second place winners.

Grand Prize                                                      Runner up

Student - $500 Savings Bond                             Student - $200 Savings Bond

Teacher - $200 Barnes & Noble Certificate        Teacher - $100 Barnes & Noble Certificate

School Winners

First Place Winner - $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate

Second Place Winner - $15 Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate

In addition:

•  The Grand Prize Poster will be printed and distributed for display in public places all over Chester County.
   

• Winning posters will be placed on the BVA and Municipal Websites
   

• Winning posters will be framed for display at their school.
   

• Grand Prize Winner and runner up will be announced at Stormwater Public Meeting in February

Judging

Judging will take place the middle of January.  The judges will include teachers, administrators, municipal representatives, Conservation District Representative, Water Authority Representative, parents, and BVA representatives.  School winners will be notified the end of January and Grand Prize winner and runner up in February.

OFFICIAL ENTRY RULES FOR THE POSTER CONTEST

 Theme:  The theme of the contest is: What You Can Do to Prevent Stormwater Pollution. The poster should clearly identify way(s) to prevent stormwater pollution.  The students should use their knowledge of their local watersheds and pollution problems in their area to develop their posters.

 General Contest Rules: All entries become the property of the Brandywine Valley Association.  The BVA reserves the right to reproduce all posters, use the names of winners in public announcements of the contest, put the winning posters on the internet and display winning posters in public places.  All posters must have a sponsoring teacher.  The information on the entry form must be complete and legible.

Specific Rules for Posters 

1. Posters must demonstrate the theme for the contest
2. Students must create their own artwork.
3. Computer graphics are not an acceptable art form
4. Use correct spelling and grammar
5. Posters can be drawn on any size paper but no larger than 11x17 inches
6. Poster must have white background
7. No copyrighted characters or names may be used
8. Do not use lead pencils or chalk. Any other medium is acceptable
9. Do not use stencils or plastic sticker letters
10. Do not glue or tape objects to posters
11. Each student may submit only one entry
12. Entry Forms should be printed or typed
13. Completed entry forms must be attached to the back of the posters with the information facing up so that it can be read.
14. Entries must be postmarked by Monday, January 10, 2005

Sponsoring teachers should mail all entries to the Brandywine Valley Association, 1760 Unionville Wawaset Road, West Chester, PA  19382.  Entry forms and contest information is available on the BVA website: www.brandywinewatershed.org.  Contact Jane Fava or Kathy Bergmann at BVA Watershed Watch 610-429-0109 for additional information.

This poster contest is being sponsored by the Brandywine Valley Association and the following municipalities:

  [ Entry Form ]

Robert G. Struble, Jr., Executive Director
Brandywine Valley Association
1760 Unionville-Wawaset Road West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 793-1090; (610) 793-2813 fax
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.brandywinewatershed.org