Neuroscience For Kids

2010 writing contest

The 2010 Neuroscience for Kids POETRY WRITING CONTEST is now CLOSED and the winners have been sent their prizes from NEURO4KIDS.COM and/or Capstone Press.

Here are samples from some of the winners:

Some brains are big
Some brains are small
But when I fall I don't
Use my brain at all.
--- Nicky K., Grade 1, Auburn WA

My brain is always working.
My brain works while I sleep.
My brain is like a working machine.
My brain helps me count sheep.
--- Aliya H., Grade 2, Mentor-on-the-Lake, OH

I saw the funny caps.
They put one on my head.
I watched a soundless movie.
I heard languages instead.
I saw my brain waves up and down.
The cap left dots and I felt like a clown.
--- Cora O., Grade 1, Milford, CT

Cerebellum, cerebellum
You move me, cerebellum
Through the trees or through the breeze,
You move me.
--- Alex H., Grade 3, Cinnaminson, NJ

The Temporal lobe is for your memory
Occipital lobe, so you can see
Be careful not to strain your brain
It might also, cause some pain
Gyri and Sulci are part of your brain
Parietal lobe, to feel your pain
The Brain is awesome and cool, too
Just who doesn't love it, just who?
--- Raquel J., Grade 5, Riverdale, GA

The brain has parts,
And powers our hearts,
It helps us think
Of colors like pink
We can never stop learning
Because our brains never stop churning
Our brain is a wonderful thing.
--- Aaron P., Grade 5, Liberty Hill, TX

What did you just say?
Every second is new
Always waking up.
---Kathyrn L., Grade 7, Seattle, WA

Brain with little blood
As a result, stroke is near
Neurons in despair.
--- Luke R., Grade 8, West Linn, OR

A synapse occurs
In the mind a thought takes shape
An idea is born.
--- Joseph M., Grade 8, Diamond Bar, CA

Every movement accounted for
Even ones that you may ignore
It keeps you alive
So that you may thrive
The brain does all of this and more.
--- James K., Grade 11, Oxford, OH

The brain is loaded with synapses
Without them you memory lapses
You need them is true
They're like sticky glue
If shut down, your body collapses.
--- Alex B., Grade 12, Hamilton, OH

The brain does a wonderful action-
It aids in preventing distraction
That it helps with attention
Is a fact I must mention
It's a cause for great satisfaction.
--- Gabriella S., Grade 9, Graham, WA

Contest rules:

Only one entry per person. Please type or print your poems so we can read them.
Use the official entry form (copies of the form are acceptable) to write a poem about the nervous system in the style for your age group.

Please type or print your poems so we can read them. All poems, limericks and haiku must have at least THREE lines and CANNOT be longer than TEN lines. Material that is shorter than three lines or longer than ten lines will not be read.
All material must have a neuroscience theme such as brain anatomy (a part of the brain), brain function (memory, language, emotions, movement, the senses, etc.), drug abuse or brain health (helmets, brain disorders, etc.). Be creative! Use your brain!
Entries will be divided into four age groups:

If you are in Kindergarten to Grade 2, your poem can be in any style; it doesn't even have to rhyme.

If you are in Grade 3 to Grade 5, your poem must rhyme. You can rhyme the last words on lines one and two; the last words on lines three and four, etc. or you can choose your own pattern.

If you are in Grade 6 to Grade 8, your poem must be in the form of a haiku. A haiku has only THREE lines. Also, haiku MUST use the following pattern: 5 syllables in the first line; 7 syllables in the second line; 5 syllables in the third line.

Example Haiku:
Three pounds of jelly
wobbling around in my skull
and it can do math.

If you are in Grade 9 to Grade 12, your poem must be in the form of a limerick. A limerick has 5 lines; lines one, two and five rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables; lines three and four rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables.

Example Limerick
The brain is important, that's true,
For all things a person will do,
From reading to writing,
To skiing to biting,
It makes up the person who's you.

To enter the contest, mail your completed entry form with your poem to:

Dr. Eric H. Chudler
Dept. of Bioengineering; UWEB E/O
BOX 355061
1705 NE Pacific Street
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-5061

Entries must be received by February 1, 2010 and cannot be returned.
People and their families associated with the Neuroscience for Kids web site are not eligible to enter the contest. Kids from ALL countries are welcome to participate.
The staff of Neuroscience for Kids and other individuals will judge poems on the basis of originality, scientific accuracy and overall style.
At least one winner from each group will be selected. Winners will be announced by March 1 and will be notified by e-mail or regular mail. The winner agrees to allow Neuroscience for Kids to publish his/her name (first name and last initial only) and poem on the Neuroscience for Kids web site. Winner addresses and e-mail addresses will NOT be published.
All materials received will become the property of Neuroscience for Kids and will not be returned. Neuroscience for Kids will not be responsible for entries that are damaged or lost in the mail.
Winners will be awarded a book or other prize to be determined later. Prizes will be mailed to the address listed on the winner's entry form.
Void where prohibited by law. Questions about this contest should be directed to Dr. Chudler at: chudler@u.washington.edu