ReadWorks Earth Day Illustration Contest Winners Announced

ReadWorks and its longtime content partner, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), launched an illustration contest this Spring 2024 focused on enhancing students' understanding of the environment while also encouraging them to read and showcase their creativity in what they have learned. 

NFWF is dedicated to sustaining, restoring, and enhancing the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for current and future generations. Since our partnership launched, NFWF content on ReadWorks has been used by over 350,000 teachers and 1.6 million students nationwide.

This year ReadWorks received nearly 4,000 amazing illustrations from students in grades 2-5 across the country. Our team came together to choose three winners based on our contest criteria! We would like to thank all the teachers and students who participated and congratulate our wonderful winners and their teachers.

Please click here to use this fun editable contestant certificate link to honor your student's participation! 

We hope you enjoyed the learning moments provided by ReadWorks. Thank you to everyone for your continued support of ReadWorks.

Congratulations Sam! 

Grade: 3rd
State: California
Teacher: Toni Hildan

"At first, I thought I would just do a coral reef. But, after I read the passage I wanted to add some examples of coral bleaching. Scientists are trying to figure out how to help coral."
-Sam 

​"I have been using ReadWorks with my students for years. I love the wide variety of topics available. I also appreciate the StepReads will allow me to differentiate easily. When I saw the info about the Earth Day Illustration Contest, I knew many of my students would be interested - they love art - especially making illustrations! Sam is such a diligent and creative student. I know he spent a lot of his own time on this piece. I am so proud of his efforts and that he has been recognized for his hard work!"
-Toni Hildan

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Congratulations Quinn! 

Grade: 5th
State: Maryland
Teacher: Bonnie Allen

”I wanted to do something that filled the page with lots of color and energy. I looked at pictures of bats for reference and kept going back to the passage to see if there were more details I could add. “
​-Quinn 

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Congratulations Sophia! 

Grade: 2nd
State: Florida
Teacher: Midgelys Fernandez

"I chose to read about the black-footed ferret because I love drawing little critters like ferrets, otters, and meerkats.  They are so cute, and my Mom had a ferret when she was little. I am sad that black-footed ferrets are endangered because they are one of my favorite animals. I drew a ferret with babies so they won't be endangered anymore."
-Sophia 
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“My second-grade students were thrilled to participate in the ReadWorks’ 2024 Earth Day Illustration Contest. It was an amazing opportunity for me to be able to integrate reading, science, social studies, and art, making instruction more meaningful and relevant. What an awesome way to celebrate Earth Day by learning the importance of protecting endangered animals like the monarch butterflies, orcas, black-footed ferrets, and pronghorns and their habitats!”
-Migdelys Fernandez

Written by: LaDarrien Gillette, Development Manager, ReadWorks