If you are creative, inventive, interested in green causes or just have some extra time on your hands, consider becoming a part of the Isthmus Get Green Challenge. In preparation for Isthmus Green Day (a green expo event scheduled for April 26, 2008), this challenge is meant to drum up interest in the study and application of environmentally friendly products, ideas and practices. Some participants will be selected to introduce their green ideas and inventions on TV, on The Daily Page and at Isthmus Green Day itself.
Challenge Description
You are invited to create an original and educational project to be presented to the public. Your interactive project may cover the areas of food, wellness, recreation, fashion, care and protection of natural resources, natural energy, water purification and management, pollution control, and other areas.
For example, you can brainstorm creative ways to collect rain, grow organic vegetables or conserve energy around the house. You can even explore technology by developing a solar powered pencil sharpener or even a toaster! Think simple or big -- the choice is yours. Your sole job is to think unique. This is your opportunity to educate the community and show them how they can "live green."
The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2008.
Submission Details
Each submission contains two parts. First, you must fill out a one-page application form, which will include short essay questions. The second part must be a visual representation of your idea. We recommend that you record your presentation on videotape/DVD/CD, but we will also accept a photographic presentation or even a power point presentation on disc. The submissions should be e-mailed/mailed to Isthmus to first undergo a screening process. We do recommend e-mailing us ahead of time with information on the file you plan to send us, so that we can make the proper accommodations to view the presentation.
Mailing Address: Isthmus Publishing Company C/O Leigh-Ann Balthazor 101 King St. Madison, WI 53703
Those who submit their work early will have the opportunity to be chosen to present their project on local television or on thedailypage.com/green. Adult projects will be featured on Carl Agnelly's "Down to Earth" segment on WKOW (Channel 27) news. Youth projects will be featured on The CW (Channel 57) with Emmy Fink. Aired presentations will begin soon. These submissions will not be selected by the Get Green judges, but by Isthmus employees; those contestants who appear on TV or on the website may not necessarily be chosen to win.
After the final deadline of March 14th, 3-5 judges selected by Isthmus will meet to choose a project in each division (divisions listed below). Those chosen will be invited to give their presentation at the Isthmus Green Day event on April 26, 2008. Runners up may also be invited depending on space and time limitations. All submitted videos that pass the screening process may also be played on a TV in a Get Green Challenge corner at the event. Details are yet to be determined.
Divisions
All students under the age of 18 must be supervised by a teacher, parent or other adult. Student divisions are organized by grade. Adult participants will have the option of working individually or in a group. There is also a special division for a group of mixed ages, which must include at least one adult. These divisions are:
- Division 1: Grades K-2, Group with adult supervisor
- Division 2: Grades 3-5, Group with adult supervisor
- Division 3: Grades 6-8, Group with adult supervisor
- Division 4: Grades 9-12, Individual with adult supervisor
- Division 5: Grades 9-12, Group with adult supervisor
- Division 6: Adult Individual
- Division 7: Adult Group
- Division 8: Mixed Age Group, including at least one adult*
*Such as a family including parents and kids, a youth group with students in multiple divisions, etc.
Judging
Judges will be selected by Isthmus. The judges will all have different backgrounds to include both experts and non-experts of environmental science. They will meet privately to select those projects to appear at the Green Day event.
Judges will consider the following elements during the selection process:
- Is the project interactive?
- Will it be interesting and educational to the general public?
- Can a regular person off the street and not well versed in environmental issues understand the project?
- Is the presentation organized, attractive and creative?
- Is the idea unique?
- Are the benefits clearly described on the application?
Prizes
Age-appropriate, green prizes will be awarded to the top finalists in each category. Prizes are yet to be determined.
Those chosen to present at Isthmus Green Day will also be acknowledged together in an ad in Isthmus, in a television commercial on WKOW-TV and CW-TV, on the Isthmus Green Day website, and on stage at the Green Day event for a live demonstration.
Rules & Regulations
In order to win first place in his/her division and appear at Green Day, each contestant, must abide by the Monona Terrace Convention Center rules and regulations in addition to the following guidelines:
- All project materials, including any computer-generated graphics and lettering, must be the contestant's own work.
- The demonstration must be conducted by the student/s, but teachers and parents are encouraged to provide guidance and supervision.
- The student's name, age and school must be clearly labeled on all visual materials, including videotape, DVD or CD.
- A completed application is required and all deadlines must be met.
- An electrical outlet will be available at the Green Day event, but there will be no water or gas outlets available.
Safety Rules
Dangerous/unsafe exhibits will be prohibited: Teachers, parents and other adult supervisors are responsible for insuring that any applicable laws, regulations and Monona Terrace policies are not broken.
The following are prohibited:
- Any flames, open or concealed
- Highly flammable or combustible materials, gases or liquids
- Syringes, needles, pipettes or other sharp objects
- Liquefied or solidified gases (e.g. "dry ice")
- Explosives, firearms or projectile launchers of any kind
- Live animals
- Human or animal tissue
- Poisons, drugs or controlled substances
- Materials heated above 100 degrees Fahrenheit without adequate insulation
- Open cell batteries
- Unshielded high voltage equipment, large vacuum tubes, ray-generating devices
- Bare wires and knife switches carrying current at more than 12V or exposed sparks
- Glass or glass objects unless deemed to be an integral and necessary part of the project
- Class II, III or IV lasers
- Operation of any apparatus with unshielded belts, pulleys, chains and moving parts with tension or pinch points
Get started and Click here to download an application.
For More Information
Contact: Leigh-Ann Balthazor, Advertising Coordinator, 608-251-5627-x119, or email
