ReadWorks + NFWF Earth Day Contest: See the Winning Art

This Earth Day 2025, students across the country showed us just how much they learned  from our reading passages, and how powerfully they can express their new knowledge through art. With more than 4,000 entries submitted to the ReadWorks Earth Day Contest, we are both humbled and inspired by the incredible response from teachers and students alike.

We launched this contest in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to encourage young readers to engage with high-quality nonfiction content about conservation, wildlife, and environmental stewardship. 

Thank you to all of our participants. Here is a customizable participation certificate. 

Celebrating the Winners

We are thrilled to announce one student winner per grade level (2-5) for the contest! Their illustrations demonstrated both understanding of the article content and incredible creativity. While only a few could be selected as winners, we’ll also be sharing many runner-up entries on our social media channels, so keep an eye out!

2nd Grade
​Kaislie 
​ North Carolina

"I liked learning about the Burrowing Owls. They are so cute, especially when they bob their heads up and down and sideways.  I am sad that the burrowing owl is endangered because people are building houses over their habitats.  My favorite part of the reading and my artwork was learning about what they eat. That's why I drew bugs in her mouth and in the burrow. This was a fun project" - Kaislie
​
"I think this was a great experience for my art club students.  I have 2nd - 5th grade and each grade had a different animal and they could share what they learned about their animal. Kaislie was very excited to draw her animal because she felt bad that the burrowing owl was endangered.  This connection with her subject made her eager to draw the owl correctly and show what she learned. She worked very hard to put all the details she read about in her reading passage." - Mrs. Bello (Art Teacher)

​

Based on the article Making Room for Owls that Dig 

---

4th Grade 
Kavinandhan (Kavi)
North Carolina

"I've loved drawing since I was five! This time, my mom told me about the ReadWorks illustration contest. I had never made an illustration before, but when I read about Hawaiian Seabirds, I started imagining birds, electric lines, and drones by the shore. First, I sketched my idea on canvas, then spent six hours playing with acrylic paints. By the end, I was really happy with how it turned out! I submitted it for the contest, and I'm so excited that my work was chosen as the winner. Thank you, ReadWorks, for this amazing opportunity—I’m really grateful!" - Kavi

"As parents, we are beyond grateful and thrilled to see our child recognized as the winner of the ReadWorks Illustration Contest. This opportunity has been truly inspiring, and watching them bring the story of Hawaiian Seabirds to life through their artwork has been an incredible experience. This recognition means so much to our family, and we deeply appreciate the support and encouragement that ReadWorks offers students everywhere. Moments like these inspire confidence and passion for learning and creativity." - Kavi's Parents

Based on the article Listening for Hawaiian Seabirds

3rd Grade
​Matthias 
New Jersey

"Sea turtles are my favorite animal.  I was really happy when I got to read about them.  I learned that the green sea turtle has been on the endangered list and that is what inspired me to draw the green sea turtle. When I was drawing I wanted to add lots of color so that the picture looked exciting. I hope that one day in the future the green sea turtle is safe.” - Matthias

"Our students thoroughly enjoy reading Article of the Day each day.  The articles have sparked some very interesting class conversations. The opportunity for students to participate in the Earth Day Illustration Contest by reading about sea turtles or pollinators and then bringing them to life through their art was exciting. It was wonderful to see their illustrations take shape on the page and to see students so engaged.  We are so proud of Matthias! He is a truly talented artist and outstanding student whose work was a reflection of his creativity! His talent never ceases to amaze us!" - Ms. Voss (Teacher)

Based on the article Turtles Love the Beach, Too

---

5th Grade
Ruixi
California

"While reading, I felt the coldness of the ocean, while feeling pitiful about how so many animals' lives were risked. ReadWorks truly captures the feeling of how everything is, and it's such a great place to read." - Ruixi

"I have been using Readworks for several years and love the student contests that are offered. I have very artistic students this year and was very excited when the Earth Day contest was posted. This was an amazing opportunity for my students. The articles for this contest were engaging and made the students think critically about the environment for Earth Day" - Mrs. Cole (Teacher) 

Based on the article Studying Coral Reefs Helps the Land, Too

​Thank You, Teachers! 

To every teacher who brought ReadWorks’ passages into your classroom for Earth Day--thank you. Your dedication to helping students build content knowledge through reading is vital. And thanks to our partner, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, for providing  content that is both meaningful and accessible for all students.

Why Science Reading Passages Matter

ReadWorks offers hundreds of free, research-based reading passages in science for grades K–12. These texts help teachers integrate science and literacy, support background knowledge building, and provide opportunities for cross-curricular instruction, perfect for Earth Day and beyond.

The Earth Day contest was designed to bring those benefits to life. After reading high-quality informational texts, students illustrated key ideas from what they learned. This kind of engagement helps deepen comprehension and inspires students to think critically about what they are reading, and the world around them.