“Imagining the Future”
Chicago Public Schools Seventh Grade Writing Competition
Sponsored by the Chicago Council on Science and Technology
THE COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.
Fifty years ago, typewriters and paper were used to write essays. Letters were sent by U.S. Mail, not e-mail. There was no Internet. Computers were so large that they took up entire rooms. Fifty years from now, how do you think the world will have changed as a result of science and technology?
You may write about future developments in one or more areas such as: energy, environment, health, computers, communications, transportation, food, housing, entertainment or anything that interests you. Briefly tell us what scientists today think may be possible in the future, then use your own imagination and creativity. Use this form to submit your essay. If you do not have an email account, ask your teacher if you may use theirs.
To mail in a hard copy of your essay, please send to:
The Chicago Council on Science and Technology
Northwestern University, Rubloff Hall
c/o Office for Research
750 N. Lake Shore Dr., Ste. 705
Chicago, IL 60611
Teachers please note: If you will be submitting by mail, please be sure to send all student’s essays together.
RULES
1. Your essay should have a title at the top of the page.
2. Your essay should begin on a new page. It should be typed, double spaced and no longer than two pages on a word processing program. (Total pages to be submitted = 2.)
3. You can submit your essay by either typing directly into the form below or copying and pasting your essay into the form below. You may also send it by mail to the address above. If students have any questions on how to copy and paste their essay, please call 312.503.1816.
4. If you use statements that are not yours, be sure to quote and/or acknowledge them in your essay.
AWARDS
1. One hundred winners will be chosen.
2. Each winner will receive one-day admission passes for two people to each of the following: Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and Chicago Botanic Gardens (free parking pass). The passes can be used anytime during the following year.
3. Winners also will be given a group tour of Argonne National Laboratory, including transportation and lunch, on dates to be announced.
4. Winners will be notified by June 1, 2010.
JUDGING CRITERIA
1. The essays will be judged by scientists at Argonne National Laboratory.
2. Most weight will be given to the substance of the essay. The essay should include at least a brief discussion of what scientists today are thinking about future developments in the area or areas that you are addressing. Creativity and imagination in developing your own ideas is important. A well written essay will suggest possible future developments that have some basis in current science and do not violate basic scientific principles. For example, some scientists think that in the future, we can reduce nuclear waste, making nuclear power a more environmentally friendly technology. To suggest that people will be able to build homes out of nuclear waste in the future would not be scientifically logical and would be given little credit.
3. All winning essays will be logically organized, use complete sentences, and have very few or no typographical errors.
4. The most successful essays will make the reader think “Wow, that’s a really exciting idea and I could see how that might be possible some day!”
