The Fourth Year of Our
DRAWING, ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITIONS

This is our opportunity to engage with the naturalists of the future, to raise awareness and even create excitement about the insects and other invertebrates of the parks, gardens, fields and woodlands of Suffolk - flushing out hidden talent in observation, drawing or photography. The competition is open to children and adult members of the general public, schools, SWT WATCH groups, other children’s groups and natural history societies, not just SNS members. If you are interested then why not use the links below to see some of the winners in previous competitions. 

2004 competition           2005 competition           2006 Competition

This year we are arranging a ‘bug hunt’ and study session at Alder Carr Farm, Needham Market on Sunday 27th July. If you would like the opportunity to influence and inspire up-and-coming naturalists or have equipment we can borrow or distribute leaflets, please contact Joan Hardingham (01449 721751).

A web page is being produced for the SNS website by the 6th Form IT students of Saffron Walden High School – it should be flashy and fun, so look out for that!

The competition is being launched in the schools soon and will have a boost in the press to coincide with the Royal Entomological Society’s National Insect Week, 23 - 29 June 2008. The deadline for entries is 4pm on Friday, 12th September 2008 and the awards will be presented at Alder Carr in October (date to be confirmed).

There are three sections to the competition. In the 11 and over categories adults may enter and judging will take age into account. Study what the judges are looking for closely. This is set out below.

1. THE BIG BUG DRAWING COMPETITION
Open to children under 11 years.
A picture, in any medium, showing one or more invertebrates found in a garden or park, field or woodland. This can be an attractive but not necessarily accurate depiction of any stage of the life cycle, alone or in the habitat. Include the common name/s and where observed. The judges will be looking for evidence of observation of living creatures rather than artistic skill, and not copies from books.

2. THE ILLUSTRATION COMPETITION
Open to 11 years and over.
A depiction of an invertebrate or any part of its life cycle, accurate in the scientific sense and showing any definitive features so that it can be readily identified. Include the Latin name, any common name and where it was observed. The judges will be looking for evidence of close observation of living creatures, and not subjects copied from books.

3. THE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
Open to 11 years and over.
This should depict an invertebrate, or any aspect of its biology or lifecycle, presented and any common name, plus where and when it was observed. Judges will be looking for evidence of close observation, technical expertise, good composition or the capture of a difficult subject.

GUIDELINES
        Work may be entered by an individual (child or adult) or through an organisation e.g. a school or WATCH group.
        Entries should be on A4 or A5 paper.
        On the back add: the name, age and address of the individual (and group, if appropriate); phone number; the name of the creature/s and when and where they were seen.
        Entries should be sent to: Competition, Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, c/o The Museum, High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3QH no later than 4pm on Friday, 12th September 2008.
        Entries will be returned if a suitably sized and priced, stamped and addressed envelope is provided.

SCHOOLS: NATIONAL CURRICULUM SCIENCE KEY STAGES 1 AND 2

Aspects of National Curriculum Science at key stages 1 and 2 could be covered by encouraging pupils to enter the competition. For example, in Unit 2B Section 2 one of the objectives is that children should learn to observe and make a record of animals and plants found in the local environment and in Section 3 that they should use drawings to present results. Unit 4B Section 3 also expects that children should learn to observe the conditions in a local habitat and make a record of the animals found.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DRAWING AND STUDY
On Sunday July 27th at Alder Carr Farm, Needham Market there will be a session catching, studying and drawing or photographing with the help of some invertebrate experts – a sure way of getting into the winners category! Please book in advance on 01449 721751 – by Friday July 25th.

PRIZES AND PRESENTATION
        A first, second and third prize will be awarded in each category as well as highly commended if thought appropriate. The prizes will be natural history books, and equipment for catching and studying invertebrates.
        Winners’ certificates and prizes will be presented at an awards ceremony to be held at Alder Carr Farm near Needham Market (01449 721751) in October – date to be notified to the winners.
        At the ceremony will be an exhibition or activities related to studying invertebrates.
        The East Anglian Daily Times has fully supported the competition in the past and assisted in judging. Many of the pictures and the awards ceremony have featured on a two-page, full colour spread in the newspaper
        The competition is linked to National Insect Week in June organised by the Royal Entomological Society
        The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society reserves the right to use the pictures in its publications and promotions.