Official Contest Rules

No purchase or other obligation is necessary to enter the contest. A purchase will not improve the chances of winning with an entry.

(1) To Enter: Contest begins at 12:01 a.m. (ET) on December 15, 2004, and ends at 12:00 midnight (ET) on March 15, 2005. Each essay must be the original work of the entrant and not previously published. Essays may not exceed 750 words. Essays must be submitted using the online form. Entrants are encouraged to provide images via the online form, but not required to do so. One entry per person. Prize delivery is limited to one winner per household.

(2) Winners: Winning essays will be selected based on originality, clarity, language, and presentation. Two first prizes and three honorable mentions will be awarded in each category. All determinations of the judges of the Smithsonian Institution are final. Winners will be determined by April 15. Prizes will be awarded by May 15.

(3) Winner Notification: Winners will be notified by email and asked to verify eligibility. A complete list of winners will be posted at SmithsonianEducation.org. By entering the contest, entrants consent to the Smithsonian’s use of their name, essay, and images for promotional, educational, and museum purposes without further consideration, except where prohibited by law.

(4) Prizes: There are separate prizes for educator entries, family entries, and student entries. The winner of the educator contest will receive: two tickets from Southwest Airlines, a Marriott $250 gift certificate, and two “Greetings from the Smithsonian” tee shirts. The winning family will receive: one “Greetings from the Smithsonian” photo album and four “Greetings from the Smithsonian” tee shirts. The winning student will receive: one Smithsonian Sweater Teddy Bear, one Smithsonian Mega Science Lab, one Star Theater, and one “Greetings from the Smithsonian” tee shirt.

(5) Odds: The estimated odds of winning are 1:1000; however, the actual odds of winning the prize depend upon the total number of eligible entries received.

(6) Eligibility: The contest is open to all legal residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia. Children under 13 must have a parent submit for them. Trustees, employees, officers, and volunteers of the Smithsonian Institution are not eligible to enter. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. The contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

(7) Privacy: Contact information provided by entrants will be used by the Smithsonian for contest purposes only and will not be shared. See Smithsonian Privacy Policy for complete privacy rules and policies.

(8) Sponsor: This contest is sponsored by the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies, Smithsonian Institution. The Center is the central education office of the Institution, providing leadership in strategic planning and national outreach initiatives. Contact: Michelle Smith, smithmk@si.edu, (202) 786-2498.