Category Archives: Other Events & Contests
Stone Soup
Stone Soup Magazine Submissions
- Stone Soup welcomes submissions from around the world by writers and artists ages 13 and younger.
- To get an idea of the kind of work Stone Soup has published in the past, look through our Archive of Children’s Writing.
- Deadline: Ongoing
For more information, visit: https://stonesoup.com/how-to-submit-writing-and-art-to-stone-soup/
2025-26 Virginia Frank Memorial Writing Contest Opens in Jan 2026
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: TBD
- 750 words or less
- enter online or through the mail (information on the website)
- one entry per contestant
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.
Here is a link to the contest https://omahalibrary
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
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- 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.
Calling all Doodlers! Submission due March 14th, 2024
It’s time to start sketching, because this year’s Doodle 4 Google contest is openOnce a year, K-12 students are invited to bring their imagination to life in a doodle of the Google logo, using any medium they choose.
Doodles are the fun, surprising, and sometimes spontaneous changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists.
Check out the contest page to see past winners and to get some ideas! Start working on some sketches.
All information can be found @ https://doodles.google.com/d4g/.
EY Badge link
Poetry Contest
National Student Poetry Contest
Each student may submit one poem. The poem must be no more than 20 lines on any subject and in any style except concrete (shape poems) or blackout. The poem must be the original and individual work of the student. Sample topics include: Pride in America, friendship, feelings, nature, dreams, aspirations, or anything that inspires creativity.
4 Grade Divisions: Grades 3-5,Grades 6-7, Grades 8-9, Grades 10-12
Prizes: Twelve participation prizes will be drawn from all entries. Prizes include a laptop, tablet or iPod Touch, and $25 gift cards. First, second, and third place in each division will be awarded a cash prize. One “Editor’s Choice” poem will be awarded a $500.00 grand prize.
Entry Deadline: October 31, 2016
Contest Rules: http://www.libraryofpoetry.com/rules.html
Past Winning Poems: http://www.libraryofpoetry.com/WinnersPoems/2015DivisionWinners.html
Online Entry Form: http://www.libraryofpoetry.com/student2017.asp
Forms for Mail-in Entry: http://www.libraryofpoetry.com/EntryForms/EntryForms.pdf
Westside Community Schools does not sponsor or endorse the organization or activity described here. The sharing of this information is provided as a community service.
codeCraft at AIM Brain Exchange
codeCraft Explorers offers youth the opportunity to experience a variety of technologies. No previous experience is needed! All sessions are self-contained, so feel free to attend one or all sessions.
WHERE: AIM Brain Exchange – 1902 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102 – View Map
WHEN: Saturdays at 9:00 am
- August 13 and 27
- September 10 and 24
- October 8 and 22
- November 12 and 26
- December 10
Sign up for these free events by registering here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/codecraft-explorers-tickets-24433340780
Contest: Become a TFK Kid Reporter!
Do you dream of being a reporter or an editor? Are you a good writer who loves the news? If so, you may have what it takes to be a winner in the TFK Kid Reporter Talent Search.
TFK is looking for 12 students from around the nation to be members of the TFK Kid Reporter team for the 2016–2017 school year. ****Event closed****Check back in the spring for the new contest
Next year’s team will continue the tradition of reporting local and regional news stories for TIME For Kids magazine and timeforkids.com.
Professional journalists from TIME For Kids will select this team. In the past, TFK Kid Reporters have:
★ Interviewed national leaders, celebrities, and other newsmakers.
★ Written news stories, reviews, and opinion pieces for TIME For Kids.
★ Learned about the news business from award-winning journalists who work at TIME.
★ Appeared on television to talk about their work.
How to Enter
To apply, visit www.timeforkids.com/2016kr and complete the required fields and the official entry form. Be sure to read the official rules and share them with your parent or guardian, who must sign your entry form and submit it electronically. Entries must be submitted by June 17, 2016. You must be 14 years of age or younger on September 1, 2016.
Visit this website to view the official rules:
2016 Summer Opportunities
Summer is right around the corner and there are plenty of opportunities to continue the learning through June and July! Feel free to leave a comment and add additional opportunities.
Omaha Public Library: http://omahalibrary.evanced.info/signup/eventcalendar.aspx?Lib=ALL
Do Space: http://www.dospace.org/events/month/2016-06
Although events and workshops haven’t been posted yet for June and July, make sure to check out Do Space’s calendar!
Camp for Creative Writers: http://finelines.org/camp-for-creative-writers/
- June 20-24, 8:30-12:00 pm at University of Nebraska Omaha
- Cost: $150
- Ages 10 and up
Space Adventures, Robotics, and Survival: Zombie Apocalypse…All at the Strategic Air and Space Museum: http://www.sasmuseum.com/camps/
Young Nebraska Scientist Camps: http://yns.nebraska.edu
KANEKO Programs: http://thekaneko.org/kaneko-programs/
Arts for All Inc.: http://www.artsforallinc.com
Lauritzen Gardens: http://www.lauritzengardens.org/Learn/Programs_for_Children_and_Families/Summer_Camps/index.asp
My Current Events Essay Contest
My Current Events
Essay Contest (Grades 5-12)
https://clubs2.scholastic.com/?fileName=contests-and-programs
Calling all comic artists!
