Got a Question for Obama?
RSSThis article originally appeared in SLJ's Extra Helping. <a href="https://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/subscribe.asp?screen=pi8">Sign up now!</a>
By Debra Lau Whelan -- School Library Journal, 11/05/2008
If your students had one burning question to ask President-elect Barack Obama, what would it be?
ePals.com, an educational social networking site, is offering K–12 students across the nation a chance to get that message across to the next president of the United States. Whether it’s global warming, world peace, or the economy, the Your Presidential Minute contest encourages students to think creatively and passionately about the issues that matter most to them—and then to convey that message to Obama in the form of a one-minute audio recording, a one-minute video, a 200-word written submission, or a 10-slide PowerPoint presentation. All submissions should directly address the president-elect.
Students should think “globally and be creative,” such as writing a song, poem, or speech to emphasize their points. ePals will compile the best responses online and share them with the president-elect, his transition team, and members of the ePals Global Community.
Videos, audio files, and other media can be uploaded to Election Central, and written entries should be submitted to electioncentral@epals.com.
The contest is being offered through ePals’ Election Central page, which allows students to discuss their ideas with family, friends, and teachers, as well as their peers around the world through Election Central's student forums.
"Our students are looking forward to sharing their thoughts regarding the upcoming election results with the new president," says Tanya Spillane, principal of Middle School North in Cabot, AR. "Election Central and the Your Presidential Minute contest will allow our students to participate in a global discussion regarding politics and to feel like they have a voice in the global community."
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of educators and ePals staff, and winners will be judged on their presentation and point of view; how well informed they are about the election process, the issues, the candidates, and media influence; their question’s relevance to the election; clarity and how they address the president-elect; and overall creativity.
All submissions will be posted on the ePals contest page, and the top 10 winners in each category will be delivered to the new Obama administration on a DVD. ePals will work with Obama's transition team to coordinate the presentation and delivery of materials to the president-elect.
All entries must be submitted by January 10, 2009, and the winners—who will be divided into three categories: elementary (K–5;) middle school (6–8), and high school (9–12)—will be reviewed and posted on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009.
For more information about Election Central and the Your Presidential Minute contest, visit www.epals.com/elections.
