What is the South Carolina Children’s Book Challenge?
The Children’s Book Challenge is a creative competition for all 4th and 5th-grade students in South Carolina. Individually or in groups, on paper or digitally, they can write and illustrate early-reader books about energy.
It’s a great way for educators to engage their students with a cross-curricular project focused on energy education that also correlates to many South Carolina state standards.
Does my school or students have to be served by an electric cooperative to participate?
No. The competition is open to any 4th or 5th-grade student in South Carolina. We do ask that you connect with the electric cooperative that serves in your community.
How are the books created?
Students can either use the digital platform, StoryJumper, or traditional paper books provided by their local co-op (we’ll make sure those blank books get to you). StoryJumper also allows students to upload original artwork and by accessing digital clipart on the site.
What do the winners receive?
Winning books will be published and distributed to elementary schools across South Carolina. Winning authors and the educators who helped them will receive cash prizes as well as hard back printings of their book. They will also be recognized at the SC State House.
Why are electric cooperatives sponsoring a Children’s Book Challenge?
For more than 80 years, the electric cooperatives in South Carolina have been transforming lives, families and communities with electricity and community support. We want to celebrate that outstanding history with an opportunity for young people to learn what cooperatives are, how they started, and how electricity impacts our lives. The electric cooperatives in South Carolina value education and realize students are the problem solvers of the future. Becoming an energy-literate society is essential to overcoming our future energy challenges. Writing a children’s book on energy allows students to widen their knowledge of our state’s energy possibilities.
What else does scbookchallenge.com offer?
It’s more than a book competition website. It’s an effort from the state’s electric cooperatives to enlighten teachers on our state’s energy landscape.
