Neuroscience For Kids

2024 Neuroscience for Kids Poetry Contest

The 2024 Neuroscience for Kids Poetry Contest is now closed! However, the 2025 Neuroscience for Kids DRAWING CONTEST is now open!

Some of the winning poems:

Teagan D. (Kindergarten) It is very important to grow your brain. If you do not use your brain You do not do good in class. Busy boxes are my favorite (and brain breaks, too) Resting my head down on my desk Always playing at recesss and in the calm room I have an idea. A good idea! Never talking during quiet time I get smarter and smarter every single day When I use my brain!	Alex K. (4th grade) In my skull, a universe spins, Where logic reigns and chaos begins, Neurons fire, sparking bright, In the theater of mind, I take flight. A symphony of thought, a cosmic dance, In this brain of mine, I'll take my chance. For in the labyrinth of my mind's design, Endless wonders, I shall find.
Amos R. (6th Grade) Brains are like forest, Tree-shaped neurons signaling Messages of life	Milo S. (10th Grade) Your memory helps you know what to do, Process the past, or remember a clue; think of a face, route to a place, Or even recall if something is new.
Alena C. (12th Grade) The brain, such a curious thing, Full of thoughts and ideas that it brings, It's such a delight, And loves to excite, To your body and head it's the king.	Poushali D. (Adult) To learn new things Truly comprehend the link Between the physical brain Helps train. To remember things Understand how the brain creates new thoughts. Understanding will help us connect the dots. Take some time to understand. Cause your brain is a whole new land!

Here were the 2024 contest rules:

Only one entry per person. Please type or print your poem so it be read.
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.
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 five age groups:

If you are in Kindergarten to Grade 2, your poem can be in any style; it doesn't even have to rhyme. The poem must have at least three lines, but cannot be longer than 10 lines.

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. The poem must have at least three lines, but cannot be longer than 10 lines.

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.

If you are a college student, teacher, parent or someone else, your poem must rhyme and explain why it is important to learn about the brain. (Enter: "College and above" for Grade on the entry form.)

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

Dr. Eric H. Chudler
Center for Neurotechnology; Box 352355
Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering
3800 E Stevens Way NE
Seattle, WA 98195
USA

You can also email your entry as an email attachment to Dr. Eric Chudler, but you still must use the official entry form. A photograph or scan of the entry form is fine, but make sure that that all words can be read.

Entries must be received by February 1, 2024 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, 2024 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@uw.edu