Guidelines – Elementary School Poster Contest

The National Society Elementary School Poster Contest was developed to help stimulate interest in American History in support of the Fourth or Fifth Grade Curriculum. This competition was begun to aid studies at that grade level. If American History is taught in lower grades at selected schools, an entry may be accepted for the competition. All entries will be judged on an equal basis, using the following criteria.

The central theme for the Poster Contest will be set by NSSAR Americanism Committee annually, at the Spring Trustee meeting.

Rules and Guidelines:

Poster will be on standard poster board (22″x 28″)

Any media of drawing material may be used, and students may paste unpublished material (not commercially printed) on their boards. No three-dimensional posters will be accepted.

The subject must conform to the announced theme, showing evidence of research. The student may include a short written explanation on the poster concerning symbols used.

No group project posters. Each poster must be done by one individual student.

All entries must have the following information taped to the back of the poster (the front of the poster must not be signed or labeled):

  1. Student data: Name, Address, Home Phone Number, Age, and Grade, Social Security Number will be required for State Winners, before entering in National Contest to be eligible for National Prizes.
  2. School data: Name of Teacher, Name of School, Address
  3. Sponsoring SAR Chapter, State Society

Only one entry per school may be entered in the local SAR Chapter competition and only one entry per Chapter may be entered in the state competition.

All posters will be judged by the following criteria:

  • Does the poster express the annual theme?
  • Does the poster show originality by the student?
  • Does the poster show evidence of research?
  • Does the poster show artistic merit and creativity?
  • Is the poster neat?

One winner from each school will compete at Chapter level and the Chapter winner will compete at State level. Once the State society has selected a winner, it will represent the State society at the National Level. The top National winners will receive a Rosette Ribbon and a monetary award. Posters must be completed by 31 December and judged by the chapter no later than January 15.