Essay Competition

In conjunction with the Educational Forum, BestPrep and Thomson Reuters are offering a statewide essay contest for Minnesota high school students (grades 9-11), reflecting on the thoughts and research shared in the best-selling book Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - And How It Can Renew America by Thomas Friedman. The top 20 student winners and their respective teachers will be invited to the Educational Forum, featuring Mr. Friedman, in Minneapolis on Thursday, October 8, 2009.

Thomas Friedman, a St. Louis Park High School graduate, has had a huge impact on the education, economic and political scenes through his #1 bestseller, The World Is Flat, which has helped millions to see globalization in a new way. Now Mr. Friedman brings a fresh outlook to the crises of destabilizing climate change and rising competition for energy—both of which could poison our world if we do not act quickly and collectively. His argument speaks to all of us who are concerned about the state of America in the global future.

Mr. Friedman proposes that an ambitious national strategy—which he calls "Geo-Greenism"—is not only what we need to save the planet from overheating; it is what we need to make America healthier, richer, more innovative, more productive, and more secure.

Essay Competition Information:
Mr. Friedman has unearthed a wealth of knowledge and explains how America can lead the green revolution in the 21st century. Innovation is the new global currency! In 700 words, BestPrep and Thomson Reuters would like to hear how Minnesota students respond to the following prompt:

"Friedman indicates a green revolution can renew America. At the heart of his argument is the notion that market demands drive innovation. Do you agree or disagree with Friedman and why? What would it take to transform America’s perception so that the Code Green message is seen as a key to prosperity? Is there a local company going green? Discuss whether or not you believe they will succeed and why. What steps would you take in your life, business or career to “go green” and why would it make you successful?"

Competition details are available for download and the deadline for submission is Tuesday, April 21, 2009. Due to overwhelming interest, BestPrep will be limiting the essay submissions to five (5) essays per class, per teacher. (The first 50 educators who submit essays will be entered into a drawing to receive a free pair of tickets to the event.)

Downloadable Essay Information:
Complete Essay Packet – this includes the three items below (PDF format)

• Introduction / Eligibility / Judging Criteria / Submission Information (PDF Format)
• Essay Prompt Text (PDF format)
• Student Information (Word format)
  

Essay Winners:
Essay winners will be announced on May 22nd. BestPrep and Thomson Reuters are inviting the top 20 students and their teachers to a private reception with Mr. Friedman in Minneapolis on Thursday, October 8, 2009. In addition, students will attend an awards presentation by Thomson Reuters and BestPrep’s Educational Forum featuring Mr. Friedman over lunch. The top three student essay winners will receive 13” MacBooks (valued at $1,000) and the 4th and 5th place winners will receive 120GB iPod Classics (valued at $250), presented during the Educational Forum.

Questions? Please contact:

Andrea Hanson
ahanson@bestprep.org
763-398-0090 ext. 226

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