OCEAN PALS
National Student Poster Contest

Aliens in Our Waters

Illustrated by invasive exotic species which are alien to the ecosystem. These invasive species can be plants, animals or other organisms. Why the concern? What do they look like? Where have they invaded? How do they spread? How can they be stopped? What can you do?

Entry Deadline: December 21, 2001 All school and local entries must be submitted to their regions postmarked no later than December 21, 2001. National winners will be notified by February 28, 2002. Details will be announced at the Ocean Pals National Awards Ceremony on March 24, 2002 at the Beneath The Sea Expo. There will be special programs for children, parents and teachers. For Teachers: A Trip to the Cayman Islands The teacher of each of the First Place National winners will receive a 4 day / 3 night vacation (land portion only) courtesy of Treasure Island Resort in the Cayman Islands. A trio of isles nestled in the western Caribbean, the Cayman Islands are naturally beautiful, sparkling clean and impeccably safe. A British Crown Colony with the highest standard of living in the Caribbean, they appeal to everyone, from the sophisticated world traveler to those seeking an enchanted and relaxing escape.(Subject to availability. Some restrictions may apply.) General Contest Rules All posters submitted to Ocean Pals will become the property of Beneath the Sea, Inc. and its sponsors. All rights for reproduction in all media including print, film, and/or video are assigned to the organizers and their sponsors to use as deemed appropriate to further the goals of the contest. Posters cannot be returned. Some rules may be modified, with the permission of the regional sponsor, if required to conform with local school system's rules. One artist per poster. Poster content must represent the artist's own perception of the theme. Although everyone is encouraged to enter, last year's first place students and teachers are not eligible to win prizes in any category this year. All grand prize winners of the previous year are welcome to enter but are not eligible to win a grand prize again for a period of two (2) years from the date of entry, e.g. winner in the year 2001 is not eligible to win until the year 2004. Winning first (1) place teacher/parent (if home-schooled) are not eligible to win for a period of one (1) year. All Regional and National winners will be notified of their selection in writing. An affidavit of eligibility may be requested from the teacher/parent of any award winner. I. ELIGIBILITY Open to all students within four contest divisions: KINDERGARTEN through SECOND grade THIRD through FIFTH grade SIXTH through EIGHTH grade NINTH through TWELFTH grade Local & school contests: Only the top three finalists within each division within each school will be accepted into the regional contest. Blank Certificates of appreciation acknowledging students' submissions of posters will be sent upon request to teachers entered in the contest. Submit the request with a self-addressed, stamped 10x12 envelope to your region address (see item #7). Certificates will be sent in April/May, after the national awards have been made. II. POSTER SPECIFICATIONS NOTE: ANY POSTERS RECEIVED WHICH DO NOT MEET THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION MAY BE DISQUALIFIED. Presentation: Horizontal or Vertical ONE-INCH BORDERS must be used within the specified area (for reproduction purposes) Theme must be evident in a written slogan, or phrase. NO spelling errors. Posters may be in color or black & white NO paste-ons, stenciling, or tracing. Posters must be done freehand by the student NO firm or rigid backing; DO NOT mount any posters Air-brushed and computer-generated graphics are acceptable but will be judged in a separate, special class. A special Ocean Pals plaque will be awarded the winner Paper: Size: Must be the standard posterboard size of 18"x24". Single sheet, unruled and unlined only (poster paper preferred). Art Materials: Pens, pencils, colored pencils, markers or crayons. Watercolors Acrylic paints NO charcoal, oil paints, pastels, chalk, glitter or sand. III. JUDGING: Regional - National A panel of independent judges recognized for their work in marine art, marine environment, or art education will be assembled to view and select winners. All decisions are final. The national judging will take place at the New York Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation on January 26, 2002. IV. REGIONAL AWARDS BY DIVISION Only the top three finalists from each division within each region will be advanced to the national contest. Medals have been specially cast for this contest by Robert L. Straight, famed jeweler, of Houston, Texas. 1st place student: Medal plus $100 US Savings Bond 2nd place student: Medal plus $75 US Savings Bond 3rd place student: Medal plus $50 US Savings Bond Honorable Mention: Medal plus a selected prize V. NATIONAL AWARDS BY DIVISION 1st place student: Entry into the Grand Prize drawing or a $200 US Savings Bond 2nd place student: Medal plus $100 US Savings Bond 3rd place student: Medal plus $75 US Savings Bond Honorable Mention: Medal plus a $25 Check At the option of the judges, posters not placing but drawing their attention may be awarded the Certificate of Special Merit. The First-Place National Winners will be eligible for one (1) of the four (4) grand prizes. The following packages will be awarded by a drawing to be held at the New York Aquarium immediately following the judging. Some restrictions may apply. Non-transferable. Package 1: 8 days, 7 nights in the Cayman Islands for four, courtesy of Villas of the Galleon, a luxury condominium located on Grand Cayman's famous Seven Mile Beach, with airfare for two adults from Miami on Cayman Air.) Package 2: 8 days, 7 nights in Curaçao for a family of four, courtesy of Lions Dive Hotel & Marina, with airfare for two adults from Miami on ALM Dutch Antillean Airlines. Subject to blackout dates. Package 3: $200 US Savings Bond. Package 4: $200 US Savings Bond. Our thanks to our associate sponsors - the Curaçao Tourist Board, Pepsi, Princess Beach Hotel and Casino, Mares/Dacor, Mike Ball Expeditions, and Verizon.

VI. REGIONAL INFORMATION AND MAILING ADDRESSES

1. Regional entries MUST be received at one of the above addresses ON or BEFORE December 21, 2001.
2. An application form must be completed and firmly ATTACHED to the BACK of each poster. (A more compact application form is available by printing our brochure, available here in PDF format.)
3. Posters must be mailed FLAT.
4. No officers, directors, or staff of any of the regional or national contests are eligible for contest prizes.

OCEAN PALS
Beneath The Sea, Inc. · 495 New Rochelle Road · Bronxville, N.Y.10708
A Not-For-Profit Marine Education & Conservation Organization