contest information for teachers
Thank you for your interest in the From the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Essay Contest. The response to the first contest was exceptional and we can’t wait for the launch of the second contest in September 2012. The goal of the essay contest is to challenge high school students to think critically and respond personally to real challenges facing the ocean. And this year we have made it even easier to incorporate the contest into your science curriculum.
From the Bow Seat is a 64-minute environmental documentary filmed as my family sailed the Gulf of Maine to interview experts and visit project sites to get a first hand understanding of three environmental issues impacting the Gulf — lobstering (a sustainable fishing model), seabird restoration (puffins) and overfishing (cod depletion and history of the Gulf of Maine).
The Ocean Awareness Essay Contest is a natural companion to the film. Each year we invite students to write an essay based on the film or on an alternative question that explores a timely environmental issue beyond the scope of the film. For each question there is also a film clip on the site which students should use as a jumping off point for further research. The film-based question this year explores the role of forage fish on the cod population in the Gulf of Maine, and the alternative question examines the plight of the northern Right whale. Understanding ecosystems is a cornerstone of many science curriculums and we hope you find this an engaging way to get your students to think more deeply about these connections.
Although contest registration does not open until September, the contest questions are available now for you to review. Please note that teachers may also choose to create an independent essay question for their class which relates to the topics discussed in the film as an alternative to the two composed question options. All independent essay questions must be preapproved by email at essay@fromthebowseat.org. Also, don't forget to check out our teacher tool kit which makes it easy for you to get information about the contest to your students.
You can keep up to date on contest information throughout the school year by "liking" our Facebook Page. Thank you for your interest in this program and for sharing your passion and love for the ocean with your students.
Linda Cabot
Director/Writer of From the Bow Seat
student prizes:
First Prize: $2,500
Second Prize: $1,500
Third Prize: $500
Plus $2,500 for the winner’s high school science department!
