CALL 811
STUDENT
POSTER
CONTEST
NATURAL GAS
PIPELINE
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL
1-800-566-9306
INTRODUCTION
The Energy Safe Kids Call 811 Challenge is a student poster contest which is sponsored by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA) and developed by National Energy Foundation (NEF). The purpose of the contest is to share and
promote the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) – Call 811 message. It is designed to combine a student’s originality and artistic
talent with his or her ability to share the important message of Know what’s below, Call 811 before you dig.
ENERGY SAFE KIDS always Think! about energy issues, Talk! to adults about those issues and Take Action! when needed.
They understand the ways to protect themselves, their families and communities from potentially dangerous situations where energy
sources are present. One of the most effective ways ENERGY SAFE KIDS and their families guard against unsafe practices is to
follow the 811 rule.
The 811 rule is easy and applies to everyone; individuals, families, neighborhoods and even the construction industry. Simply put,
the rule is this; Call 811 before you dig. This easy practice helps protect our environment and provides damage prevention
to pipelines below ground.
Every state has a system of marking property with colored flags or paint to show above the ground
where pipelines are below the ground. The phone number for every state is the same – 811. When
811 is called, a locator comes to the site and marks underground lines, pipes and cables. This
practice ensures that those that dig in the ground do not hit underground pipelines and create an
unsafe environment for a community.
This contest provides teachers an easy way to incorporate safety education into classroom
curriculum. The teacher’s role is to help students understand the reasons why calling 811 is an
important part of energy safety for neighborhoods. This can be accomplished by showing the
Call 811 DVD and using the Natural Gas Safety Poster provided as part of the contest. Visit
www.commongroundalliance.com or www.EnergySafeKids.org for additional ideas to inspire
poster designs.
JUDGING AND PRIZES
Entries will be judged on how effectively students communicate the theme: Know what’s below, Call 811 before you dig.
Projects should express the student’s ideas in a positive and constructive design. Points will be awarded for the idea: the best
safety is preventing, not reacting to problems.
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of educators and experts from PHMSA and/or NEF. By entering this
contest, entrants agree to be bound by the decisions of the judges, which are final.
•• The first 811 student entries received will be awarded Call 811 T-shirts, all other entries will be awarded Certificates of
Appreciation.
•• One Grand Prize and two Honorable Mention winners will be selected.
•• Winners will be notified in early April 2015.
•• Prizes are not transferable, substitutable or exchangeable for cash. The contest sponsors, at their discretion, may substitute
a prize of equal or greater value. Winners from 2014 are permitted to enter but not allowed to win either the Grand Prize
nor an Honorable Mention.
•• The Grand Prize winner will be awarded:
◦◦ A trip to Washington D.C. (student and a parent/guardian) to attend the Washington Nationals
baseball game in August 2015 supporting 811 Day
◦◦ Trip includes transportation, hotel accommodations and food stipend
◦◦ Kindle Fire HDX 7” tablet
•• The teacher of the Grand Prize winner will be awarded:
◦◦ A $811 classroom education mini-grant
◦◦ Kindle Fire HDX 7” tablet
•• Honorable Mention winners and their teachers will also be awarded Kindle Fire HDX 7” tablets.
Step 1: Create a unique poster
Step 2: Write an explanation
HOW TO ENTER
•• Teachers register at www.EnergySafeKids.org/call-811-contest and receive a packet containing teaching materials and a
classroom set of small poster boards.
•• Teachers challenge students to produce their own poster design and give deadlines.
•• The entire class does not have to participate, however if one teacher has several classes, all students and classes may
enter the contest.
•• Teachers provide each student with a poster board that includes an entry form printed on the backside. The form must be
completed and include the parent signature.
•• All entries from a class must be sent together. Submit your students’ entries in the business reply envelope
provided in your contest packet. (PHMSA and NEF assume no responsibility for damages incurred during the
shipping process.)
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
•• All entries must be original work, either hand drawn or computer generated. Hard copy entry required, electronic files will
not be accepted but may be requested after judging.
•• No syndicated, copyrighted or clip art images can be used.
•• All entries must be postmarked on or before March 13, 2015.
•• Open to students in grades 4 through 6.
•• Entries must be the work of an individual, not a group or team.
•• Employees of PHMSA, CGA and NEF, including their immediate families, household members and dependents may enter
but are not eligible to win prizes. Winners from 2014 are permitted to enter but not allowed to win either the Grand Prize
nor an Honorable Mention.
•• All rules and requirements must be followed or automatic disqualification will result.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
•• Because the contest is designed to encourage total classroom participation, the teacher must submit all entries together.
However, it is not necessary for all students to enter.
•• All entries and all rights thereto become the property of sponsors and will not be returned.
•• By entering this contest, entrants grant the sponsors and their designees the right, unless prohibited by law, to reproduce
and publish entries in any way and format in all forms of media (publications, websites) without compensation, for the
purpose of publicity in any and all manner or media, now or hereafter, throughout the world in perpetuity.
•• Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received and no purchase is necessary to enter.
•• The sponsors are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete or illegible entries or notifications.
•• The sponsors shall not be liable for, and participants and their parent/guardian agree to hold sponsors harmless from,
any injury, loss, damage, costs or expense arising directly or indirectly in connection with this contest or prize. Except
as noted, all expenses associated with the prize are the sole responsibility of the parents or legal guardians of the prize
recipient.
•• The sponsors reserve the right to cancel, suspend or modify this competition, should causes beyond its control prevent the
successful administration, winner selection or prize award.
•• Contest is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations, and is void where prohibited by law.
By entering, participants agree to the contest rules and requirements.
•• The contest is sponsored and funded by PHMSA, consultation is provided by NEF.
ENERGY SAFE KIDS is a trademark of National Energy Foundation.
Step 3: Fill out the Official Entry
Form and submit
National Energy Foundation
4516 South 700 East, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, UT 84107
Student Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Gender: (M) (F)
Shirt Size - Please circle: Youth-M Youth-L Adult-S Adult-M Adult-L
Home Address:______________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________________________ State: _________ Zip:_______________
Home Phone: (_____) ________________________
School Name: ____________________________________________________ Grade: ___________
School Address: _______________________________ School Phone: (_____) _________________
OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM
Entries must be postmarked on or before March 13, 2015 and mailed to:
City: _____________________________________________ State: __________ Zip: _____________
Teacher Name: __________________________ Teacher Email: ______________________________
Submission of personal information is for use by PHMSA and NEF officials only and will not be made public.
For additional contest information, including a list of prizes and eligibility requirements visit
www.EnergySafeKids.org/call-811-contest.
I affirm that this entry is my own original work and grant the sponsors permission to use my work in ways they deem
appropriate (i.e. recognition, publications, promotions and websites). I understand all entries become the property of
PHMSA and NEF and will not be returned.
Student Signature: _______________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________
WRITTEN EXPLANATION
Create unique artwork to share the message: Know what’s below, Call 811 before you dig. Remember, the best
safety is preventing, not reacting to problems. Answer the following:
•• What motivated you to enter this contest?
•• What actions do you hope to convey?
•• What is the impact of your project in your own life or in the lives of others?