SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrated Earth Month by recognizing a group of fifth and sixth graders through the Agency’s Annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest.
The contest had these students use their artistic and writing skills to express environmental awareness. They were recognized at a ceremony in the Illinois State Library in Springfield on Saturday, April 5. As a part of the contest, schools study environmental concepts, focusing on this year’s environmental theme. Teachers have the student create posters or poetry/prose works to show what they have learned. These are then submitted to the Illinois EPA.
The theme of this year is “How Can You Slash Your Trash?” which invites students to think about reducing the waste they produce.
“Each year, the Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest provides us the opportunity to recognize the creative and artistic talents of environmentally engaged fifth and sixth grade students throughout Illinois,” said Illinois EPA Acting Director James Jennings. “We also want to thank the teachers and families for their participation, and for incorporating this important environmental topic into the classroom so the students can learn the importance of reducing the amount of waste they create.”