Brandy Anglen of Fresno, California won 1st place in the Earth Science Week photo contest with her photograph that was taken of fieldwork to test the water for sulfur isotopes in McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica on Lake Hoare (below). 

Submissions illustrated the theme "Extreme Earth Science" by showing an exciting Earth science subject or geoscientists in an amazing location or situation. The goal was to create pictorial evidence of why Earth science is an exciting field to study. Submissions could include print or digital photographs.

James Pugh of Elgin, South Carolina won the Visual Art Contest with his artwork entitled "Volcanologists: It's a Hot Job" (below).

Students in grades K-5 made a drawing, collage or other 2-dimensional piece of artwork that illustrated the theme "Earth Jobs." Students were encouraged to depict themselves as geoscientists, engaged in a career they might like to have in the Earth sciences. The artwork could also show some of the scientific tools that would be used in the chosen career.

Robert Kendle of Phoenix, Arizona took first place in the Essay contest with his work "The Big Dream." To read his essay, click here.

Submissions from students grades 5-9 answered the question: "What kind of geoscientist would you like to be, and why?" Essays were to be fewer than 500 words in length and based on student research about a particular career in the Earth sciences.

Finalists (in alphabetical order):

• Ida Infusio
• Michael Leff
• Alexa Pierce-Matlack
• Brian Rud
• Andrew Weis
• Trevor West
• Ellen Wiitala
• Cheng Xu

The views and assertions presented in essays are neither endorsed by nor reflect the positions the American Geosciences Institute.