Wildlife Fact:

Red knots are one of the longest-distance migrants in the Western Hemisphere. They spend over half of the year migrating back and forth between wintering and breeding areas.

Species on the Edge Art & Essay Contest

Empowers 5th grade students to advocate for an endangered or threatened species from New Jersey through a well-researched, creative essay and original art piece.

The Species on the Edge Art & Essay Contest empowers 5th grade students to advocate for an endangered or threatened species from New Jersey through a well-researched, creative essay and original art piece.

Simple, Fun, and Free to Enter!

One winner from each county in New Jersey will be selected. Open to all New Jersey fifth grade students.

The contest kit (including rules, species list, & entry form) should be downloaded below.

Click here for a detailed video with information about the contest for teachers and 5th grade students.

Congratulations to the 2023 Species on the Edge Contest Winners!

Atlantic County

Harper Plasket. Atlantic County.

First Place - Harper Plasket (Folsom Elementary School)

Second Place - Matthew Carney (Belhaven Middle School)

Bergen County

Bridle shiner by Hannah E. Jee (Maugham Elementary School).

First Place - Hannah E. Jee (Maugham Elementary School)

Second Place - Ha-Eun Iris Kim (Cherry Hill School)

Burlington County

Blayke Boucher. Burlington County.

First Place - Blayke Boucher (Olson Middle School)

Second Place - Elena Ditta (Olson Middle School)

Camden County

Autumn Bishop. Camden County.

First Place - Autumn Bishop (Mary E. Volz Elementary School)

Second Place - Adrianna Abruzzese (Union Valley Elementary School)

Cape May County

Evelyn Clarke. Cape May County.

First Place - Evelyn Clarke (Crest Memorial School)

Second Place - Leah Jones (Dennis Township Elementary School)

Essex County

Isabelly Pascoal. Essex County.

First Place - Isabelly Pascoal (Ann Street School)

Second Place - Allison Roncal (Ridge Street Elementary School)

Gloucester County

Charlotte Richards. Gloucester County.

First Place - Charlotte Richards (Williamstown Middle School)

Second Place- Taryn Young (Parkview Elementary School)

Hudson County

Nia Charles. Hudson County.

First Place - Nia Charles (Colin Powell Elementary School)

Second Place- Aarti Khanna (Huber Street Elementary School)

Hunterdon County

Claire Yun. Hunterdon County.

First Place - Claire Yun (Thomas B. Conley Elementary School)

Second Place - Gunner Manfready (East Amwell Township School)

Mercer County

Ashka Shah. Mercer County.

First Place - Ashka Shah (Stony Brook Elementary School)

Second Place - Isabelle Appelget (Village Elementary School)

Middlesex County

Naveth Mandala. Middlesex County.

First Place - Navath Mandala (Menlo Park Elementary)

Second Place - Yoisy Perez Villeda (GBCS Greater Charter School)

Monmouth County

Avery Morman. Monmouth County.

First Place - Avery Morman (Conover Road Elementary School)

Second Place - Jacqueline Rendon (Frank Antonides School)

Morris County

Sahara Ruivo. Morris County.

First Place - Sahara Ruivo (Chester M. Stephens Elementary School)

Second Place - Alexa Franklyn (Stonybrook School)

Ocean County

Zoe Troutman. Ocean County.

First Place - Zoe Troutman (Nellie Bennett Elementary School)

Second Place - Keira Soleau (Ocean Road School)

Salem County

Guinevere Fylstra. Salem County.

First Place - Guinevere Fylstra (Creativity CoLaboratory Charter School)

Second Place - Bryce Nichterlein (Creativity CoLaboratory Charter School)

Somerset County

Keshav Ponnam. Somerset County.

First Place - Keshav Ponnam (Stony Brook Elementary School)

Second Place - Sophia McGlynn (Mt. Horeb School)

Sussex County

Erin Longcor. Sussex County.

First Place - Erin Longcor (Wantage Elementary School)

Second Place - Ethan Sparta (Wantage Elementary School)

Union County

Emma Wang. Union County.

First Place - Emma Wang (Jefferson Elementary School)

Second Place - Ellen Chen (Kent Place School)

Warren County

Becca Williams. Warren County.

First Place - Becca Williams (Alpha Public School)

Second Place - Ava Macario (Alpha Public School)

⚠️ Important Note About Species Selection ⚠️

A complete list of endangered and threatened wildlife species can be found on our Field Guide.

All entrants must select a focus species from this list or the list provided in the contest kit.

Species on the Edge Art & Essay Contest Teacher Resources for Essay Development - 5.9MB
Species on the Edge Art & Essay Contest Teacher Resource Kit for Essay Development. Includes comprehensive unit and NGSS daily lesson plans which include pre-writing graphic organizers, Powerpoint presentations, grading rubrics, & other resources to help implement the contest into your curriculum.

Species on the Edge Art & Essay Contest Teacher Resources for optional Art Project - 16.0MB
Species on the Edge Art & Essay Contest Teacher Resource Kit for Optional Art Project. Includes comprehensive unit and National Core Standard visual art lesson plans which include Powerpoint presentations, classroom games, grading rubrics, & other resources to help implement the contest into your daily curriculum.

Past Winners of the Species on the Edge Contest

This STEAM-based contest enables 5th grade students to advocate for an endangered or threatened species from New Jersey through a well-researched, creative essay and original art piece. Check out the past winners of this contest since the beginning.

Species On The Edge - Testimonials

Testimonials from educators about the Species on the Edge Contest. Submit your own testimonial.

Species on the Edge Circle of Winners Club

Open to all past and current winners of the Species on the Edge Art & Essay Contest, the Circle of Winners Club will offer unique access to upcoming wildlife events, academic and professional networking, merchandise discounts, and up-close and personal wildlife experiences.

JOIN THE SPECIES ON THE EDGE ART & ESSAY CONTEST MAILING LIST!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, Contact:

Rachel McGovern, Education Director: Email

Find Related Info: Species on the Edge

Thank you Sponsors!

Atlantic City Electric

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The Zoological Society of NJ

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