Earth Day Essay Contest Explores Creating a Sustainable World
The University of Scranton is conducting an Earth Day Essay Contest for students in grades five through 12. This year’s essay theme is “Students for a Sustainable world.” The contest is offered free of charge, and submissions sent electronically will be accepted until April 5.Area students in grades five to 12 can participate in The University of Scranton’s Earth Day Essay Contest 2025. The contest is free of charge. This year’s essay theme is “Students for a Sustainable World.”
When considering the theme, Mark Murphy, the director of sustainability and energy management at the University, collaborated with work-study students in the University’s Office of Sustainability Amelia Farry, a senior from South Abington Township, and Samantha Kosmark, a junior from Old Tappan, New Jersey.
Farry said that through working at the Office of Sustainability and attending the annual essay contest events, she has seen “how vital it is to involve students in creating a sustainable world.”
“By emphasizing that they are future leaders, we are empowering them to shape a world that values long-term ecological health, economic prosperity, and a better world for all,” said Farry about selecting this year’s essay contest theme.
Topics students can address in their essays include conservation, recycling, access to healthy eating, factory farming, renewable energy, single use containers, public transportation, vertical planting, plant-based meals, composting, LEDs, gardening, biking and walking among other topics.
Essays for students in grades five and six must be between 200 and 400 words. Essays for students in grades seven, eight and nine must be between 300 and 500 words. Essays for students in grades 10 and 12 must be between 500 and 700 words. Electronic submissions must be sent to susan.falbo@scranton.edu on or before April 4. Mail-in entries must be postmarked on or by April 3 to be considered and can be sent to: The University of Scranton, Office of Sustainability, Smurfit Arts Center, 445 Madison Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510, Attn: Earth Day Essay Contest.
Visit the University’s Facilities Management webpage for the 2025 Earth Day Essay Contest Guidelines.
Winners of the Earth Day Essay Contest will be announced by the University’s Evening of Environmental Science event for participants and their families and teachers on Thursday, April 24. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Atrium of the Loyola Science Center on campus, and includes a display of the essays received.
