Flatteners of the World Essay Competition

Minnesota high school students are invited to participate in this essay competition, reflecting on the thoughts and research shared in the best-selling book The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman.

In conjunction with BestPrep’s Educational Forum, BestPrep is offering this once in a lifetime statewide essay contest for high school students. The top 25 student winners and their respective teachers will be invited to BestPrep’s Educational Forum, featuring Thomas Friedman, in Minneapolis on Friday, May 9, 2008.

Thomas Friedman, a St. Louis Park High School graduate, has had a huge impact on education, economics and the political scene through his book, The World Is Flat. He is the winner of three Pulitzer prizes for his work as a New York Times foreign affairs columnist and named one of America’s Best Leaders by U. S. News & World Report. The World Is Flat is an essential update on globalization, its opportunities for individual empowerment, its achievements at lifting millions out of poverty, and its drawbacks—environmental, social and political.

Essay Competition Information:
Mr. Friedman has unearthed a wealth of knowledge that will impact the youth of today and how they plan for their continually changing future. Innovation is the new global currency! Friedman introduces us to 10 concepts that flattened the world, ultimately leading to the world today and the future. In a 700-word essay, BestPrep would like to hear what excites the students about the world Friedman describes? What scares them about it? What are they going to do differently knowing what they know now? How are they going to prepare themselves to succeed in this global world?

Essay competition details are available for download and the deadline for submission is Monday, March 3, 2008. Due to the overwhelming interest that BestPrep has already received, BestPrep will be limiting the essay submissions to five (5) essays per class, per teacher. (The first fifty (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:
The top 25 student winners and their teachers who participate in the essay competition will be invited to a Private Reception with Mr. Friedman, a special technology session presented by the Minnesota High Tech Association and Thomson West, as well as to BestPrep’s Educational Forum on Friday, May 9, 2008 in Minneapolis featuring Thomas Friedman.

Questions? Please contact:

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