Ackerman Essay Contest
- Georgia Hansen
- Feb 18
- 2 min read
As an 8th grade science teacher, I was always on the lookout for ways to bring reading and writing into my classroom. I know as an educator, that reading and writing are the most fundamental building blocks of learning, and they take practice.
As a scientist myself, I know the importance of clear writing skills. When I worked as a biologist, any time I wasn’t in the field, I spent most of my time writing reports. Even now, working as a genetic specialist, the ability to organize and deliver information clearly in writing is a skill I use every day.
The Ackerman Essay Contest is a chance for young people to practice this essential skill in a creative and fun way! And this year’s prompt is one of my favorites.
This year, writers are asked to dream up a brand new iris variety. Contestants should research iris traits and find the traits that speak to them, that they would like to see in their iris. Once they have decided what their ideal iris will look like, they should imagine what the parents would look like to make that iris, and research to find the two irises they think they might cross to get their dream iris.
They should write about why they are picking those iris parents and what traits they are wanting to end up with. They can even draw a picture of the new hybrid iris.
Contestants do not need to be members of the American Iris Society to compete! Essays should be 500 words or less and are due May 17, 2025!
See the attached contest form for more details, and, if your young writer needs some help drawing their new iris, we have attached a bearded iris coloring page for them to use. Of course, there are so much more than bearded irises out there, so encourage your child to do some research and find what irises speak to them.
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