To purchase a poem please click on the button below.
Writing the World: The Cool it Schools new annual writing competition
Celebrate the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity by writing a poem.
The aim of this competition is to help young people understand, through their own creative responses, the challenges that the natural world faces at the beginning of the 21st century. It is open to young people of all nationalities but the poems must be written in (or translated into) English.
The first, second and third prize winners will be selected by the novelist and poet Sue Hubbard and published on the Natural History Museum's website and featured in the October edition of Second Nature the museum's fascinating magazine for young members.
The winning poets will receive prizes of beautiful books on biodiversity and conservation generously provided by Dorling Kindersley and Silver Jungle.
Visit the Biodiversity is Life website if you want to find out what else is happening during the IYB-UK.
The theme:
Slip inside some scales, feathers, fur, or shell. Imagine you are a bird, fish, mammal, plant or insect, even an amoeba, and write a poem about your changing environment.
Your poem can be funny or serious but, hopefully, it will tell us something new about how species adapt to a changing planet. Decorate your poem with paint, crayons, grass or seeds, whatever material tells us a little more about your chosen subject.
Terms of entry
1. Poems must be a maximum of 14 lines.
2. They should be illustrated. The poems are not judged on the illustrations, we just want them to look interesting too!
3. There are three age categories 5-10,11-14,15-18 years.
4. Poems must be written in English. Please make the font size 22 or more if possible.
5. The cost of entering a poem to the final shortlist is £2 for each poem.
6. Once you have paid, please send your poem to coolitschools@ukonline.co.uk
The competition is open to individuals to enter, you don't have to be from a school. You will be able to view all your poems in the Writing the World showcase.
Don't forget to add your name, age, a contact email and the name of the person who made your entry payment.
To pay the entry fee please click on the 'enter competition' button at the bottom of the page.
Closing date: Friday July 23rd 2010.