Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN accepting entries for PBS KIDS GO! Writer’s Contest

AETN accepting entries for PBS KIDS GO! Writer’s Contest

Posted 26 Feb 2013

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is now accepting entries for the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest through Friday, April 5.

The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is a national initiative designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest, made possible in part by financial support from Easy Student Publishing and managed by member station WNED, partners with PBS stations nationwide and encourages children in grades K-3 to celebrate creativity by submitting their own original stories and illustrations.

AETN hosts the contest for Arkansas students, and submits first place winners to the national contest. Each Arkansas entrant will receive a participation certificate, and 12 winners – three from each grade – will receive an AETN prize pack, including a set of PBS KIDS educational apps for mobile devices. In addition, first place winners will be given the opportunity for Clifford the Big Red Dog to visit their school and to tour the AETN studios in Conway. More than 500 students from across Arkansas entered the contest last year. Winning stories, as well as contest rules, creative writing resources and entry forms, are available at aetn.org/kids/writerscontest. Additional information is available by emailing marketing@aetn.org.

Stories may be fact, fiction, prose or poetry. Only one entry will be allowed per person, and stories must be by a single author. Kindergarten and first grade stories must have a minimum of 50 words and a maximum of 200 words. Second and third grade stories must have a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 350 words.

Text must be printed, written legibly or typed. Children who cannot write may dictate their story to be printed, written legibly or typed. Stories must have at least five original, clear and colorful illustrations. Non-English text must be translated on the same page, and the translated text (English text) must adhere to the word count.

Entries will be judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling and integration of text and illustrations. AETN will judge local submissions and send the first place winners from each grade to the national contest. A panel of judges will select 12 national winners for prizes including tablet computers, e-readers and MP3 players. Additionally, Highlights for Children has joined the contest as a partner, and all participants may choose to receive a print or digital version of Highlights magazine.

A panel of America's foremost children's authors, illustrators and content experts will serve as honorary judges for the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest. The 2013 honorary judges include: 
Stories should be submitted by Friday, April 5, by mail to: AETN – Writer’s Contest, 350 S. Donaghey, Conway, AR 72034. Arkansas winners will be chosen in April, and the first place winners will be sent to PBS KIDS GO! for entry in the national contest. National winners will be announced during the summer of 2013, and the winning stories will be featured on pbskids.org/writerscontest. Arkansas’s 12 winning stories will be featured on aetn.org/kids/writerscontest.

PBS KIDS is a trusted guide nurturing young learners ages 2- 8. As America’s largest classroom, PBS inspires children to discover their full potential for success in school and in life and serves children wherever they live, learn, and play. More information on participating local stations, general entry rules and contest resources can be found on pbskids.org/writerscontest.