Announcing “Wrecks of the World” International Art Contest

Calling all artists! Kids in grades K-12 are invited to participate in an international art contest sponsored by Immersion Learning, The JASON Project, the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) and the United States Coast Guard. The theme of the contest is "Wrecks of the World." One of the most famous shipwrecks in the world is the Titanic, which sunk 100 years ago this coming April. Although the sinking was a tragedy, it inspired many safety reforms in the shipping world. Submissions for this year's contest can focus on any historic or modern shipwreck and/or how to make shipping safer. To learn more about shipwrecks, the shipping industry, and safety at sea, visit the "Helpful Links" below.

Each entry must be a two-dimensional, original piece of artwork done on white poster board with dimensions of 28 in. x 22 in. (71 cm x 56 cm). Pale colors should not be used because they are too difficult to reprint. Please note that any artwork that includes copyrighted or trademarked product names will be disqualified.

You must take a high-resolution (at least 3072 x 2304 pixels) digital photograph of your poster in order to submit your entry. To do this, you can put your poster on the floor in a well-lit room and use a digital camera to take the picture from above. Or you can affix your poster to a wall or bulletin board and stand in front of it to take the picture.

You or your teacher/facilitator must upload the digital photo of your poster along with your name, grade, school/after-school program name, school/after-school program address, and teacher/facilitator’s name, phone number, and e-mail address via the online form available on this page. All entries must be uploaded by April 1, 2012.

Twelve entries (six from grades K-5 and six from grades 6-12) will be selected as finalists by May 1, 2012. Winners will be required to submit their original artwork upon being notified of their selection as finalists. The winning artwork will be featured on The JASON Project website and will be displayed at the Coast Guard Headquarters Building in Washington, DC. Finalists will receive a calendar with the artwork from all 12 winners and a signed photograph and certificate from world-famous oceanographer Dr. Robert Ballard. The two grand-prize winning artists (one from each of the grade brackets) will receive a prize package to include:

1. Calendar with the artwork from all 12 winners
2. Signed photograph, certificate, and book from Dr. Robert Ballard
3. Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration Animal Adoption Kit - $250 level

Helpful Links

• Find out more about the Titanic on National Geographic’s Return to Titanic page.
• Read about the most recent shipwrecks found around the world at Shipwreck World.
• Learn about the International Shipping Industry from the Round Table of international shipping associations.
• Explore shipwrecks in the Great Lakes on Wisconsin’s Great Lakes Shipwrecks page.
• Browse the websites of dozens of organizations dedicated to Safety at Sea.

If you have additional questions about the contest, please contact contesthelp@jason.org

USE OF WINNING POSTERS

Immersion Learning, The JASON Project, the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) and the
U. S. Coast Guard retain the right to use the winning posters, always making reference to the name of the holder, to project and promote their institutional objectives in any way deemed appropriate in the future (exhibitions, production of commemorative booklets or calendars, creation of CDs, projections on websites, etc.). Participants in this poster competition explicitly accept this condition and provide the "Partners" the right to use their posters.

	About Immersion Learning Immersion Learning was founded by Dr. Robert Ballard and Dr. Stephen Coan in 2002. Through live webcasts from scientific expeditions, hands-on activities, and an engaging website, this non-profit science education organization brings ocean adventures and discoveries from Mystic Aquarium, the Institute for Exploration, the University of Rhode Island, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to more than 50,000 youth in classrooms, after-school settings such as Boys & Girls Clubs, and other formal and informal learning arenas each year. For more information, visit immersionlearning.org.
	About The JASON Project Founded in 1989 by Dr. Robert Ballard, The JASON Project is a non-profit organization managed by Sea Research Foundation, Inc. and governed by Sea Research and National Geographic Society. JASON works with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other leading organizations to develop inquiry-based science curricula and professional development for grades 5-8. Combining technology-rich tools, multimedia, and an inquiry-based approach to learning with standards-based content, JASON inspires students and teachers to become lifelong learners in science through active participation in real scientific expeditions around the world. For more information, visit jason.org.
	About the North American Marine Environment Protection Association The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) was officially launched in 2007. In keeping with the mission of MEPAs worldwide, its aim is to increase environmental awareness and motivation of the human element within shipping and land-based industries that have a vested interest in preservation of the marine environment. Specifically, NAMEPA has the goal of educating the wider public and school communities about the critical importance of the world’s oceans to humankind and the maritime industry’s role and actions to preserve it. NAMEPA is a maritime industry led initiative to “Save the Seas,” and welcomes members who share this mission. For more information, visit namepa.net.
	About the United States Coast Guard's Partnership in Education Program The Coast Guard's Partnership in Education Program, authorized under the National and Community Service Act of 1990, enhances educational opportunities and career awareness for the nation's youth through direct participation in education related programs. The Coast Guard's Sea Partners Campaign is an environmental education and outreach program focused on communities at large to develop community awareness of maritime pollution issues and to improve compliance with marine environmental protection laws and regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard is one of the five armed forces of the United States and the only military organization within the Department of Homeland Security. Since 1790 the Coast Guard has safeguarded our Nation's maritime interests and environment around the world. For more information visit, www.uscg.mil.