National Pest Management Association Supports Science Education with Online Contest

NPMA Staff

PestWorldForKids.org, an educational children's website developed by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), will hold its second annual national competition for students (grades 4 through 8) to win $3,000 for one lucky school's science department. The contest challenges teachers and their students to create educational Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that highlight the health and property risks posed by household pests such as rodents, ants, termites, cockroaches and stinging insects.

Using the Pest PSA lesson plan available on PestWorldForKids.org, teachers can assign students the task of creating :30 or :60 second television PSAs. The contest begins September 7, 2010 and will officially close at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 23, 2010. Entries must be submitted by teachers through the entries page on PestWorldForKids.org or sent via U.S. postal mail.

"Last year, we were blown away by the talent and creativity portrayed in the PSAs that we received," says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. "We are excited to again offer students the chance to learn about pests, while using their creativity to explore an important educational topic."

Five finalists will win "bragging rights" as a top performing school in the Pest PSA Contest, and will have their entries publicly posted to PestWorldForKids.org. One school will be recognized as the grand prize winner and will receive a $3,000 award for their school's science department.

Last year's winner was Red Bank Middle School in Red Bank N.J., which won the grand prize for their entry titled 'Club Roach'.

PestWorldForKids.org is an entertaining, educational website developed for students in grades K through 8. The site features a pest glossary, pest guide, downloadable factsheets, report writing center, science fair projects, lesson plans and games designed to teach children about insects and rodents in their natural habitats, and the health and property risks posed by pests once they find their way into the home.

For contest rules and details, and to view last year's winning entries, visit www.PestWorldForKids.org.

The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 7,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.

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