Category Archives: Events & Contests

Young Writers Workshops-UNL campus

Each summer, the Nebraska Writing Project helps host multiple writing camps and workshops for the young writers of Nebraska. And registration is now open for all! We encourage your students and family to register and join us for a summer full of writing!

**Young Writers Camp

Grades 8-12

Dates: July 13 – 24, M-F, 10am – 1pm

The Young Writers Camp offers a two-week program (Monday through Friday, 10am-1pm) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We offer workshops in slam poetry, fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery, song-writing, poetry, memoir, and screen writing! Young writers work with professional writers, professors, teachers, and undergraduate interns! For grades 8-12

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK: https://newp.unl.edu/youth-and-community/young-writers-camp/ 

***I Love to Write Workshop 1

ages 7-11:  June 1-5: 8:30 – 11 AM

***I Love to Write Workshop 2

For ages 12-15:  June 1-5: 12:30 – 3 PM

The I Love to Write/We Love to Write Workshops are a series of summer writing workshops for youth and families to write in a supportive environment. This year’s workshops will focus on a variety of writing styles, strategies, genres and activities. Sessions will meet on the UNL Campus for a week in June. The Celebration of Writers Ceremony is held on the Saturday at the end of the week. These workshops are led by Sandra Peter and Susan Dinsdale, experienced teachers of writing, and the camp is sponsored by the Nebraska Writing Project

***We Love to Write

(students ages 7-15 and their families or special adults)

June 1-5: 4 – 6:30 PM

TO REGISTER, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK (or visit the Nebraska Writing Project Webpage): https://newp.unl.edu/youth-and-community/i-love-write-we-love-write/

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Poster Contest

Each year, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture invites students from across the state to show what Nebraska Agriculture means to them. Bring your creativity to life and participate in the 2026 NDA Poster Contest! Winning posters will be featured in various NDA publications, special events and on our website. The deadline is March 2nd, so don’t delay!

Theme: 2026 Poster Contest: “Agriculture: Building the Future!”

Who: Students in 1st -6th grade

Due Date: March 2nd

Details: Each drawing should be in color, using a medium of your choice (paint, colored pencil, crayon, etc).  Each entry should be drawn on white paper, measuring 8.5” x 11”. Entries will NOT be accepted if they are folded, rolled up, or are larger than 8.5″ x 11”.

Mail to:

Christin Kamm Nebraska Department of Agriculture

P.O. Box 94947 Lincoln, NE 68509

Important information to look over: Poster Contest Rules, Eligibility, and Criteria

2026 Entry Form-Make sure each entry is accompanied by this entry form. Entry forms must be securely glued or taped to the back of each poster.

Print out Entry Form Here

Past Contest Winners

Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, & Environment Calendar Design Contest

Recycling, composting, and keeping litter in its place are among the many ways we keep Nebraska clean.

The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment is inviting students to put their talents to good use by submitting a drawing for the 2027 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” calendar.  We’re looking for drawings that demonstrate the importance of good environmental practices and tips on reducing waste, recycling, and protecting Nebraska’s air, land, and water.

Theme-Create a drawing or painting that shows how we can keep Nebraska clean by recycling, composting, properly disposing of household hazardous waste (like old paint and cleaning products), cleaning up litter, and any other activity that will keep our air, land, and water clean.

Who: Students K-12 in Nebraska

Due Date: May 1, 2026

Artwork Info: Submit all artwork on 8 ½” x 11” unlined white paper in a landscape, or horizontal, orientation.  Please use tape (no staples or glue) to attach the label. Each piece of artwork must have a label! Mail your artwork flat—do not fold. Entries become the property of DWEE and will not be returned. Artwork may be used for promotional purposes. Fill out this Entry Label.pdf  and attach to the back of your artwork.

Media

Markers, watercolors, tempera, oils, crayons, chalk, acrylic, or colored pencils (no pen and ink, please) are accepted.

Main Contest Webpage

Additional Guidelines

2026 Winners

If your artwork is chosen for the calendar, you will:

  • Have your artwork, name and school’s name featured on a page of the calendar;
  • Be invited to an awards presentation at the State Capitol in Lincoln;
  • Receive copies of the calendar to share with family and friends; and
  • Help educate others about how to protect our environment.
Winners of the 2026 calendar contest were recognized in a ceremony at the Capitol on July 24, 2025.

 

Science of Ferns Online Workshop April 9th

Ferns may seem like quiet, leafy plants, but their life cycle and adaptations are full of scientific wonder. This virtual program explores the different types of ferns found in Nebraska, how they reproduce through spores instead of seeds, and the roles they play in local ecosystems. You’ll learn how ferns survive in diverse habitats, their fascinating history dating back millions of years, and tips for spotting them in the wild.
This is a free virtual program, however, registration is required to attend. Please use this link to register: https://outdoornebraska.zoom.us/…/FyXCjT4cRaG-aQIOG7B9uw
Questions? Email monica.macoubrie@nebraska.gov, or visit the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Calendar.

The SciFest Art Contest- Topic Weather

Nebraska experiences some of the most dramatic and diverse weather in the country—from powerful prairie winds and towering summer storms to icy winter snow, biting cold, and intense summer heat.

Create (draw, paint, glue, sculpt) artwork that captures the spirit of Nebraska’s weather. Your artwork may reflect any season or weather event, such as strong winds, thunderstorms, tornado skies, snowfall, blizzards, heat waves, drought, or the changing moods of the prairie throughout the year.

Ages: All ages

Date Due: Image must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2026.

Prizes: Three winners will receive a swag bag of NE SciFest goodies.

All entries must meet the following requirements:

  • All entrants must live in the state of Nebraska
  • Each participant may only submit one image. However, a teacher/coach/parent may submit multiple images
  • Must be able to email a clear, well photographed image of creation to NE SciFest

For more information visit- https://www.nescifest.com/participate/art/

A CREATIVE CHALLENGE FOR TEENS WORLDWIDE-Bow Seat

Your Story, Our Ocean Prompt

The 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest – Your Story, Our Ocean – encourages you to explore the many ways our ocean sustains, protects, and inspires us. We invite you to think about your personal connection to the ocean – whether you’re coastal or landlocked – through the value it brings to your life. The benefits of the ocean are widespread and multifaceted, from food production to climate regulation to artistic inspiration. Go through the sub-themes and explore the topics that resonate with you. Share how the ocean has shaped your story through art, writing, performance, film, or multimedia. How does the ocean sustain, protect, and inspire you?

The Contest deadline is June 8, 2026
Ages 11-18
Submissions are accepted in:
  • Visual Art: Handcrafted
  • Visual Art: Digital
  • Poetry & Spoken Word
  • Creative Writing
  • Film
  • Performing Arts: Music & Dance
  • Interactive & Multimedia

Origami Workshops-Hosted on Zoom

Check out this exciting workshop opportunities for folders of all ages.  The events are held on Saturdays in March and April. Choose one day or multiple days to attend.

Main Event Website-https://origamiusa.org/oriuni2026

  • IntroductoryMarch 21, 11:00 amMarch 21, 5:00 pm CDT
  • RepresentationalMarch 28, 11:00 amMarch 28, 5:00 pm CDT
  • GeometricApril 4, 11:00 amApril 4, 5:00 pm CDT
  • STEMApril 11, 11:00 amApril 11, 5:00 pm CDT
  • Four full days of instruction on representational, geometric, and STEM applications of origami.
  • Live classes with special guests.
  • Two-track class format includes model folding, lectures and techniques.
  • Meet and fold with well-known and aspiring origami designers.
  • Attend an origami and STEM research panel, Q&A session and workshop.

Make an account to register.

 

 

24th Annual “Why I Want to Go to College” Writing Sweepstakes

The Omaha Storm Chasers are partnering with Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg, for the “Why I Want to Go to College” writing sweepstakes. Entries must be postmarked by March 16, 2026.

  • Students in grades 7 and 8 are asked to reflect on the value of education and what they hope to achieve through education after high school.
  • “This contest gives students a chance to reflect on their educational goals – their life goals – and how to achieve them,” Treasurer Spellerberg said.
  • Essays should be limited to 750 words
  • Three winners will be chosen from each of Nebraska’s three Congressional districts, and three winners will be chosen from outside Nebraska.
  • Winners will receive contributions to the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST 529) college savings accounts – including $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place. NEST 529 is the state-sponsored college savings program that allows for tax-advantaged investments and tax-free qualified withdrawals.
  • Each Nebraska winner will receive four tickets to the May 3, 2026, Storm Chasers game at Werner Park in Papillion. During the game, winners will be recognized during a brief ceremony prior to the first pitch.
  •  Entries should be sent with a cover sheet to Alexis Smith, Omaha Storm Chasers, 12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046.

Reach out to the EY coordinator if you need help with editing or submissions.

Cover Sheet

Rules and Additional Details

 

2025-26 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest-Event Closed

Website: https://omahalibrary.org/virginia-frank-memorial-writing-contest/

Create your own original fiction featuring a character from a book you read on your own.

Deadline: The deadline for 2026 entries is February 20, 2026. 

Check out the website for more details and read the winning entries from last year’s contest.

 

The Friends of Omaha Public Library are currently accepting submissions for the Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest.  The contest is for students in 5-8th grade.  First prize in each grade is $100.

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing contest is held each year in the spring to recognize the creative writing talent of area students. This contest, sponsored by the Friends of Omaha Public Library, recognizes the top three winners from each grade. Each winner receives a cash prize and certificate, is recognized in a ceremony at the library, and has their story published on the library website. The school libraries of each winning student are also recognized with a matching cash prize.

Eligibility Requirements

    • Stories must be submitted with an entry form to be considered. Complete all fields either online or on a printed entry form and submit with your story.
    • Students must be in 5th to 8th grade and live in Douglas or Sarpy counties.
    • Students may be enrolled in public, private, parochial or home school.
    • Stories must be typed and no longer than 750 words.
    • Entries must be original fiction featuring a character from a book you have enjoyed and read on your own. Identify the book and author from which your character originated in the title or subtitle of your story.
    • Only one entry per contestant will be accepted.
    • The decision of the judges is final.
    • All entries become the property of Friends of Omaha Public Library (FOPL) and may be featured by Omaha Public Library on its website or social media.
    • Deadline for entries is February 28, 2020.

    Prizes

    • First ($100), second ($75) and third place ($50)
    • Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners from each grade.
    • The school library of the winning students will be recognized with matching cash prizes.

 

About Virginia Frank

The Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest began in 2003 and is named in honor of a longtime Friends of Omaha Public Library volunteer. Virginia Frank was a Central High and UNO graduate. She acquired a master’s degree from Brown University and taught English literature and creative writing at UNO for many years. Her passion for students and young people inspired everyone around her, and her enthusiasm encouraged many students to explore their creative writing talents. Frank volunteered thousands of hours with the Friends of OPL to help ensuring a bright future for our public libraries.

Intl. Academic Competitions: Upcoming Tournaments for Nebraska Students

Greetings from International Academic Competitions! Our 2025-26 competition season is in full swing, with over 200 regional quiz tournaments planned across the country and over 15 separate competitions to take part in! We wanted to pass along a reminder about upcoming events in Nebraska and online so that you can mark your calendars and join us!

National Science Bee, National History Bee & National Geography Bee Regional Tournaments

Subject-specific individual quiz competitions for students in grades K-12. Each tournament below features all 3 events at different times during the day. For students in grades K-8, prior qualifying through the Online Regional Qualifying Exam in each subject is required. Register on each tournament’s page, linked below! The deadline is 12 days in advance of each event.

Upcoming In-Person Tournaments

  • Des Moines- Red Question Set Jan 31st , 2026 Waukee, IA
  • Omaha – White Question Set Sat. Feb 21, 2026, Omaha, NE

A full list of National Science, History, and Geography Bee Regional Tournaments is maintained here on the website.

Qualifying IAC events can be offered at the elementary and middle school level. Contact the EY coordinator at your child’s school with questions.