Cupertino Union School District students in grades 6-8 can earn some “green” by writing about green sustainability topics.
The Cupertino Sustainability Commission’s Sustainability Essay Contest asks middle school students to express their concerns and ideas about sustainability problems in Cupertino. The commission will select one winner per grade to receive up to $100.
“By many measures, today’s young students will grow up in an era of constraints and challenges caused by sustainability issues,” the essay description on the City of Cupertino website states.
Possible topics the City outlines include: climate change, necessity of climate-change adaptation, and new devices to reduce or eliminate further environmental degradation, such as electric cars, more recycling, protection of key habitats, eating less meat and encouraging individuals to modify their habits.
The deadline to enter is March 7. Essays must be 500 words or less. The contest is open only to Cupertino Union School District students in grades 6, 7, or 8. Applicants do not need to reside in Cupertino as there are CUSD schools located outside the city.
Award-winning essays should how a depth of understanding of the subject, detail a plan of action to make life more sustainable, having supporting arguments, a concise conclusion, the proper length, good grammar and presentation, according to the City.
For more information and to download an application, click here.