Term+3+Tree+day+competition

Life is Better with Trees Schools Competition Forests are often called the lungs of the Earth because they produce the oxygen that makes life on our planet possible. But that’s not the only good thing that trees do. Trees provide benefits to living things all over the world –from the food and homes they provide for animals to the wood they supply for our houses, from the seasons they mark to the cooling shade they cast on our streets and playgrounds, trees and the good things they give us are all around. Another great thing that trees do is help combat climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide in their trunks and keeping it there even when the wood is used to create the things like homes, wooden floors, desks and park benches. The Life is Better With Trees Schools Competition is an initiative of Planet Ark as part of National Tree Day. It aims to encourage primary and high school students to learn about the benefits of trees and tap into their creativity to demonstrate what they’ve learnt. Competition Scenario “Friendly Alien Needs Tree Tutor” 2011 is the International Year of the Forest on planet Earth and news of this celebration has spread to the outer parts of our galaxy. On a far-away planet, a young alien named Andy has heard the news and wants to know what all the fuss is about. Andy is from a planet where there are no trees, so he doesn’t know about all the amazing things trees provide. This is where you come in. Andy wants someone to teach him about trees - he needs a Tree Tutor! Stage 1 – Kindergarten (or Prep,Reception or Transition) to Year 2 ANDStage 2 – Years 3 & 4 Create a poster illustrating all the good things that trees provide. Remember, Andy lives on a far-away planet so you’ll need to create something that can be mailed to him, **no larger than an A3 poster**. Stage 3 – Years 5 & 6 (or Years 5,6& 7 in Qld, SA & WA) Explain to Andy in an electronic format all the good things that trees provide. Because Andy lives in another galaxy, you’ll need to create something that he can view via the intergalactic internet, like a video, an animation, a digital story or a multimedia production. Remember, this is Andy’s first lesson on trees so keep it short, **no longer than 5 minutes**. Prizes A total of $5000 in prize money has been donated by Planet Ark’s //Make It Wood – Do Your World Some// //Good// campaign, which promotes the use of sustainably sourced wood as a solution to climate change. The Winning Entry from each stage wins $700 for their school (4 in total) The Runner Up Entry from each stage wins $400 for their school (4 in total) The Highly Commended Entry from each stage wins $150 (4 in total). How to enter To find out how to enter and view the judging criteria and conditions of entry, please download the [|2011 Schools Competition Flyer] (88kb pdf download). // Planet Ark // // PO Box 4 // // Wentworth Falls NSW 2782 //
 * Find out more **
 * Entry Forms **
 * Stage 1 & Stage 2 entrants ** - please download and complete the [|Stage 1 & 2 Entry Form] (50kb pdf download), attach it firmly to your poster and mail to:

Schools must ensure that any student who appears in an electronic entry for the Life is Better with Trees Schools Competition completes a [|Media Consent Form] (45kb pdf download). Media consent forms should be printed and retained by the school. Schools may be required to supply the media consent forms to Planet Ark at the conclusion of the contest to enable winning entries to be used by Planet Ark for promotional purposes. If you have any questions about the competition, please [|contact us] or call the National Tree Day Hotline on 1300 88 5000. [|The Benefits of Trees Factsheet] (209kb pdf download) [|Additional Teacher Resources] [|Getting started with YouTube] [|How to make your YouTube video private] This competition is open to students enrolled in Government and non-Government schools in all Australian States and Territories. Participating classes must have the permission of their school principal. Schools are responsible for the cost of submitting their entry. All applicants must submit a fully completed entry form to Planet Ark. Stage 1 & 2 Entry Forms can be downloaded below. For Stage 4 & 5 see above for details of the online entry form. Permission must be obtained for the use of any student images in entries. Media consent forms can be downloaded below. Winners' names will be disclosed to the relevant school principals and to staff nominated as project leaders. Prizes will be forwarded via the school principal. Planet Ark reserves the right to reproduce or adapt materials submitted as part of this competition. Any reproductions or adaptations will include an acknowledgement to relevant schools. Poster entries will only be returned if a stamped, self-addressed poster barrel is sent in with the entry. Entries must be submitted by **5pm Friday 16th September 2011**.
 * Stage 3 & Stage 4/5 entrants ** - to enter the competition, you will need to register as a Schools Tree Day [|Site Coordinator] and register your competition entry as a Schools Tree Day activity. Once registered, a link to an online entry form will appear on your Site Coordinator home page. Please complete this AFTER you have uploaded your electronic entry to YouTube. You will need to include the YouTube ID (video URL) on the entry form.
 * // Entries must be submitted by 5pm Friday 16th September 2011. //**
 * Media Consent Forms **
 * Have a question? **
 * Helpful Links **
 * How to Make a Video ** - Staff and students in NSW public schools can find out how to make a documentary by logging onto the Teaching and Learning Exchange (TALE) Intranet Site. The Victorian Government's [|Youth Central website] also has some useful information on making a film. Simply type 'make a film' into the search box on the home page to find it.
 * Terms and Conditions **
 * Competition Downloads **

[|2011 Schools Competition Flyer] (88kb pdf file) [|2011 Schools Competition Media Consent Form] (45kb pdf file) [|2011 Schools Competition Stage 1 & 2 Entry Form] (50kb pdf file) [|The Benefits of Trees] (209kb pdf file)
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