https://america250.org/fieldtrip/application/
Submitters must be able to provide proof of being a legal resident of one (1) of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia, or one (1) of the U.S. Territories and at least eighteen (18) years of age or the age of majority in their jurisdiction of primary residence (whichever is higher) at time of Entry and either a licensed/certified home-school, public or private school teacher with written permission from the relevant parent/legal guardian or the (minor) Entrant’s parent/legal guardian. Entrants must be able to provide proof of being a legal resident of one (1) of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia, or one (1) of the U.S. Territories and must be a student in third – twelfth grade who in the immediately preceding or current school year has not been suspended or expelled from school for endangering the health and/or safety of classmates or school personnel, theft or other criminal conduct of any kind
Elementary School (Third to Fifth Grade)**
Students may create artwork including physical artwork that is submitted through a high res photo, or a digital drawing.
Artwork file attachment should not be larger than 30MB and in one of the following formats: JPG, PNG, HEIC or PDF.
Students may submit a short essay (up to 100 words).
Middle School (Sixth to Eighth Grade)**
Students may create artwork including physical artwork that is submitted through a high res photo, or a digital drawing.
Artwork file attachment should not be larger than 30MB and in one of the following formats: JPG, PNG, HEIC or PDF.
Students may submit an essay (up to 250 words).
High School (Ninth to Twelfth Grade)**
Students may create artwork including physical artwork that is submitted through a high res photo, or a digital drawing.
Artwork file attachment should not be larger than 30MB and in one of the following formats: JPG, PNG, HEIC or PDF.
Students may submit an essay (up to 500 words).
Limit one (1) Entry (registration and piece of Content) per Entrant/student. Without limitation, a teacher OR parent/legal guardian of Entrant – but NOT both – may function as Submitter for a given Minor Entrant. A Submitter may submit Entries on behalf of multiple Entrants, subject to the conditions that (a) Entrant(s) must be a student of that teacher or (b) a parent/legal guardian may only function as Submitter for their own Minor child/children. Violation of the preceding entry limitations will result in disqualification of ALL Entries/Entrants submitted by Submitter.
The scoring by the Administrator Judges will be based on the weighted criteria below, each judged on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest) as follows:
25% CLARITY OF IDEA – How well does the Entrant use both their personal and academic experiences to clearly address the Question? Does the Entry effectively convey ideas, emotion or a story visually or with words by acknowledging the past or celebrating America’s achievements and possibilities for the future? Does the response offer fresh insight and innovative thinking?
50% STUDENT VOICE – Is there passion in the Entry or a point-of-view that showcases a unique perspective on the diverse range of different experiences that make America unique in an original/authentic way?
25% PRESENTATION – What makes the submission content more compelling, fresh or interesting than other Entrants’ content in their grade level category?
‡For each grade level category, at least one (1) First Prize and at least one (1) Second Prize will be awarded to each Content type.
Seventy-Five (75) Second Prize Awardees (Twenty-five [25] per grade level category (split between Artwork and Essay): will each receive a $500 cash award in the form of a check made out in the name of the Entrant.
Three (3) Teacher Prize Awardees: The Teachers who are named in/associated with the top scoring First Prize winning Entries will each receive a $1,000 cash award in the form of a check made out in the name of the Teacher. Award of prize to teacher is subject to the policy of the Teacher’s school as to acceptance of awards/gifts/benefits by third parties. At the time of submitting the Contest Documents, the Teacher shall confirm authorization to receive the award.
Seventy-Five (75) First Prize Awardees (Twenty-five [25] per grade level category (split between Artwork and Essay): will each receive a 3-day/2-night trip for two (2) (the First Prize Awardee and their parent/legal guardian (or another family member of First Prize Awardee who is at least 25 years of age, subject to the prior written consent and authorization of the First Prize Awardee’s parent/legal guardian; “Replacement Family Member Guest” who must have full Power of Attorney, including medical, for the duration of the Field Trip), regardless of age of First Prize Awardee) to one of the following special exhibits (“Experience[s]”) as described below (“First Prize” or “Field Trip”, collectively “Field Trips”).
Field Trip Destinations:
Space, Science, and a Sleepover in Washington, DC: (elementary and middle school only) Go behind the scenes at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Visit the Center’s conservation lab and restoration hangar on a private staff-led tour, seeing large and small artifacts before they’re ready for public display. Experience a flight simulator and learn about the history of flight. Then, explore the Smithsonian Natural History Museum after it closes for the night, participating in hands-on learning activities and games in this iconic museum on the National Mall. When the games are over, roll out your sleeping bag to doze with the dinosaurs!
Animals and Artifacts in Washington, DC: (elementary school only) Go behind the scenes at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on a private tour led by an education expert. You’ll meet animal care professionals and learn about some of the animals under the Zoo’s care! You’ll also receive a VIP tour of the National Archives Museum, and see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. Your tour includes a special visit to the vaults – almost never opened to the public – where you will get an up-close view of historic treasures like General George Washington’s Oath Card, the check that purchased Alaska, and more.
Hands-On History in Virginia and Washington, DC: (middle and high school only) Explore “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Monticello, UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of Thomas Jefferson. Join archaeologists to investigate how artifacts hidden underground reveal the lives of the free and enslaved people who lived and labored there. Then head to the nation’s capital for a unique tour of the Library of Congress, the world’s largest library. See Jefferson’s book collection that he sold to Congress and get a behind-the-scenes tour led by expert staff through underground tunnels to labs, hidden stacks, and the Librarian of Congress’ ceremonial office.
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota: Take an evening walk on the Presidential trail, featuring special talks from park rangers and interactive lessons with American Indian artists. Participate in a meaningful ceremony honoring our nation’s veterans and enjoy stargazing after the park closes to the public.
Charleston, South Carolina: Explore history and science in South Carolina! Start your day at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum with a private Captain’s tour of the WWII aircraft carrier USS Yorktown before catching a boat to look for dolphins as you cross the Charleston Harbor. Learn about genealogy and history with a private, introductory tour at the International African American Museum. Experience a behind the scenes tour at the South Carolina Aquarium, feed stingrays and see first-hand how sick and injured sea turtles are rescued and rehabilitated.
San Antonio and Austin, Texas: Experience American history first hand, deep in the heart of Texas. Explore the 300-year history of the Alamo in San Antonio with a private guided tour and living history demonstrations. Then go behind the scenes at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin and view spectacular items from Library collections that are not normally on display to the public.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio: Go backstage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the shores of Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio and experience the ultimate music destination. Explore the Museum and dive into American culture and music from the sounds of early rock and roll to today’s biggest artists. You’ll take a behind-the-scenes tour, visit the Library & Archives, and have a chance to see artifacts that are not on public display. End the day by checking out a live concert on the Museum’s Plaza!
Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Go beyond the ropes for an exclusive tour of the historic places at the center of America’s birthplace. See the room where the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were both signed, and get an up-close look at the crack in the Liberty Bell. This experience includes an opportunity to uncover history’s mysteries in the Second Bank Portrait Gallery and a rare behind-the-scenes tour of collection storage with a park curator.
San Francisco Bay, California: Start your day with a scenic ferry out to Angel Island State Park. Learn about an important chapter in our nation’s history with a hike and a guided tour of the former US Immigration Station at Angel Island (including buildings not usually open to the public). In the evening, join park rangers for a special candlelight tour of Fort Point at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, traveling through time in the Civil War-era fort to learn more about West Coast history. End your tour on the roof of the fort for an up-close view of the Golden Gate Bridge after dark.
Yellowstone, Montana and Wyoming: Explore America’s first ever national park. Join an unforgettable guided tour through extraordinary landscapes and iconic locations – from the Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful – and a peek at Yellowstone’s famous bison.
Mesa Verde, Colorado: Explore Mesa Verde National Park and learn about the legacy of the Ancestral Pueblo people. Discover ancient cliff dwellings, hike with rangers to learn about Mesa Verde’s unique natural features, explore a world-class research center, and experience a story of peoples’ continued connection with a landscape. During your stay, enjoy panoramic views, wildlife watching, and stargazing.
Kennedy Space Center, FL: Take an incredible journey at the Kennedy Space Center, the birthplace of American spaceflight. Spend the day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with a private guided tour led by a space expert. Get front-of-the-line access to a simulated space shuttle launch on the Shuttle Launch Experience and explore one of four space journeys on Spaceport KSC. Also experience panoramic views of launch pads at the all new Gantry at Launch Complex 39. Meet a retired astronaut and get a first-hand look into America’s space program.
Some elements of Field Trips may not be accessible for persons with certain disabilities; for example, not all locations may be wheelchair-accessible and Field Trip may involve a significant amount of walking and/or climbing. Physical requirements as specified by each Field Trip Destination will be disclosed to First Prize Awardees upon prize confirmation.
The prize includes: roundtrip coach air transportation for two (2) from a major commercial airport near Awardee’s legal residence (as selected by the Sponsor) (“Airport of Origin”) to an Airport near the Field Trip location (“Destination City”, collectively “Destination Cities”) area (as chosen by the Sponsor) with possible layovers/flight may not be direct); provided, however, if the Awardee resides within 150 miles of Destination City (as determined by the Sponsor/Administrator in their sole discretion), air travel may not be provided and ground transportation may be provided instead (and, in such case, no alternate prize or compensation will be provided), ground transportation to/from Destination City-area airport and hotel, two (2) nights’ hotel accommodations (standard room, double occupancy), round trip transportation to and from the airport and hotel and hotel and Field Trip experience as described above. First Prize Awardee and guest will also receive a food stipend for three (3) days based on the U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates in the applicable Destination City.
Approximate Retail Value of each First Prize: up to $3,500.00.