When using the Writing Contest as a class or group project, there are a number of resources and simple things you can do to improve the experience and the quality of student submissions.
Review the contest rules to make sure everyone understands the rules.
You can also download the rubric for this year's contest, which can help clarify what the judges will be looking for in winning entries.
Make sure parents/guardians are informed about the contest.
A parent or guardian must approve each child's participation in the contest and fill out the submission form. They will be required to license their child's essay for publication if it is selected as a winner. Guide families with unreliable or slow internet access at home to
request a PDF entry form.
Discuss engineering careers and the
engineering design process.
Students with little or no experience with engineering often do not realize the wide variety of engineering careers that exist. Reviewing career fields provides an opportunity to talk about the role of engineering in our lives. Discussing the engineering design process also helps students recognize that engineering is something that anyone can do.
Discuss plagiarism and the importance of not copying a reference word-for-word.
We check submissions and have disqualified students for copying the work of others.
Review some past winning submissions.
Not all contests involve the same type of writing and sometimes different age groups have been given different challenges. Take a look at
past contests
to see winning essays. Note that not all past contests use the same submission format.
Assure students that anyone in grades 3-12 can participate.
All students are encouraged to enter, no matter their background or identity. At the same time, it’s important for participants to understand that their artwork will be featured on the EngineerGirl site, which is designed to inspire girls to explore engineering. This means the artwork should speak to girls as the primary audience. Engineers know that better solutions come from a variety of perspectives, which is why the EngineerGirl and EngineerTeen platforms were created. When students create their artwork, they should consider how it can inspire girls and others who may not yet picture themselves in engineering.
Introduce students to relevant resources.
In addition to sharing the
resources listed below,
consider design resources and brainstorming different mediums through which to create art, as well as where to get supplies for their work.
Consider supporting students with fewer resources by pairing them with a mentor.
Mentors can review the guidelines and discuss ideas, read drafts, review prototypes, and help students find appropriate resources. Mentors can also be a student's champion and offer encouragement to help them persevere through the process. You may be able to draw on friends, colleagues, parent groups, or older students to find mentors.
Consider ways that students can support one another.
While each submission needs to be the work of an individual, students interested in a similar subject or artistic medium can benefit from working together to gather research, share discoveries, and discuss their experiences. Group members can also review each other’s mockups and provide feedback. Students – particularly those in lower grades – may need guidance on working in this type of group.
Remind students to express appreciation for those who have supported them.
This includes fellow students from whom they gathered opinions or reviewed drafts, but also parents and mentors. Offer guidance on writing a meaningful thank you note, which is a useful life skill.
Debrief students after the contest submissions have been made.
All students who participate will receive feedback on the their entry from the judges. Students who participate in the contest would alsobenefit from a discussion that includes self-reflection on their work, what they learned, what they are proud of, and what they could improve upon.
Here are a few resources related to design that you and your students may find helpful:
Here are some additional resources on things to consider when presenting STEM competitions to students in general, and girls in particular.
A Grand Challenge: Reimagining Competitions for the Broader Benefit
Competitions can ignite passions and turn kids on to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), but the question remains whether competitions are the best way to get youth involved in STEM activities.
How Can Educators Boost STEM Confidence?
This research from the National Inventors Hall of Fame includes tips on engaging students to reduce their anxiety around STEM subjects.
