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Air, Air, Everywhere Poetry Contest for Grades 3-5
In recognition of Clean Air Month in May, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering the 15th annual Air, Air Everywhere poetry contest to third, fourth and fifth grade students across the state. Parents, teachers, scout leaders, etc. can lead students through an activity (or more than one) from the Air, Air Everywhere Teacher’s Activity Guide, which aims to teach 3rd - 5th grade students about air quality and the importance of clean air.
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The Details
The students’ original poems and riddles can be submitted to the DNR. Winning poems will be displayed on the DNR’s Air, Air, Everywhere Poetry Contest webpage.
Requirements:
- Open to all third, fourth and fifth grade students in Wisconsin.
- Any form of original poetry or riddle is acceptable. Entry must be 200 words or less and describe air or the importance of clean air
- Writing must be the original work of the student.
- Each entry must be a PDF attached to the email or typed out in an email. No google doc links will be accepted.
- Each entry must include the name of the author, the name of the parent/teacher, the name of the school and the parent/teacher’s email and phone number.
- Email all entries to: DNRAirEducation@wisconsin.gov
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Submit entries by Friday, May 1, 2026 to be eligible. Contest entries will not be returned and will become the property of the contest sponsor.
The Air, Air Everywhere Teacher’s Guide includes 10 activities to get students thinking about the air in Wisconsin. As part of the Where’s the Air? activity, students will complete simple sensory experiments to discover the characteristics of air, and then write a poem or riddle describing air.
Teachers can review the Wisconsin air quality facts and information document to help students complete their riddles and poems. This resource is filled with facts on Wisconsin’s air quality history and current status to help students understand more about the state’s air quality.
For more information about air education contact Lindsay Haas, DNR Air Quality Outreach Specialist, at Lindsay.Haas@wisconsin.gov.
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Cool Choices Launches April 6
Celebrate Earth Day this April by bringing to your school! This 4-week, team-based sustainability game makes it fun and easy for students and staff to take sustainability action together. Participants earn points for everyday actions like walking or carpooling to school, improving recycling efforts, and more - while tracking real savings in energy, water, and CO₂. Last year, students saved over 2,000 pounds of CO₂ emissions, 1,700 gallons of water, and 730 kWh of energy. Register by March 27th to join the challenge!
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Celebrating Excellence in Environmental Education
The Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education recently announced awards for students, educators, administrators, and organizations in environmental education.
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Attend the Awards Event
Join us on Saturday, April 11 at Escuela Verde in Milwaukee to meet the awardees and get a tour of this school recognized by U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools.
Register Now
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Lunch and Learn Webinars
Join the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education for a hour-long learning session each month. These webinars are free to members and non-members can register with fee. These sessions allow for open dialogue and discussion.
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Sprouting New Communications
DPI is launching a new website in April. This means that between March 23 - April 24, no changes will be made to my website, which is not great timing with Earth Month around the corner! This also means that after April 24, there will be a lag in time before environmental education information is available on the website.
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Accessing Environmental Education for Earth Month and Beyond
Here are some sites I encourage you to visit for your Earth Month needs:
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April 25, 2026
Math in the Forest, Treehaven, Tomahawk
May 2, 2026
Elementary Energy Explorations,
North Lakeland Discovery Center, Manitowish Waters
April 11, 2026
Project Learning Tree Explore Your Environment: Forest-based Learning in an Urban Setting, Wausau
SAVE THE DATE:
July 28 - Changing Climate, Baraboo
August 4 - Get Out There, Birchwood
Do not reply to this email. The teach@info.dpi.wi.gov inbox is not monitored.
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