SPE Essay Contest Application

The SPE Wonders of Plastics Essay contest is an expository writing opportunity for students to share insight on how to make plastics and polymers better for the world. The essay is open to any student in grades 5 to 12 who has an interest in sharing ideas about the science, engineering, or applications of polymers and plastics in our world. The essay is limited to 1000 words about a topic of your choosing.

Topics to Consider:

  • Advantages of Plastics in Food Packaging
  • Plastics in the Environment
  • Creative Use of Recycled Plastics
  • The Usefulness of Plastics in Society
  • How Plastics Benefit Humankind
  • What Plastics Have Done for Me
  • Myths about the Bad Reputation of Plastics

The essay you submit should be free of grammatical errors; include correct punctuation; and contain a natural logical flow of ideas and interconnected concepts. If you have any questions, please send them to ecoteklab@gmail.com.

Cash Awards for 1st – 5th Place for Middle School and High School Divisions:

  • 1st Place: $500
  • 2nd Place: $300
  • 3rd Place: $200
  • 4th Place: $100
  • 5th Place: $ 50

View sample essays below that have been submitted by student scientists during past essay contests.

By submitting this essay to the SPE Foundation for consideration, I give permission to the Essay Contest Committee to publish this essay in future SPE publications.

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