Rand McNally has launched “Play the Election” – a free collaborative, online tool that teaches students about the 2012 Presidential Election and election process through games, resources and competition. And while students are learning about electing the President, they can write to him with their concerns in a new essay contest open to 7-12th grade students ages 13 to 20 years old, entitled “Dear Mr. President”.
“Play the Election” Digital Learning Game
Students predict the election winners for each state on an interactive election map, and compare their predictions to their class and the country to see where they rank. The program also includes eleven digital mini-games that delve deeper into influential and battleground states, like Ohio and Florida. An accompanying online teacher resource center includes lesson plans based on the Common Core Standards.
“Dear Mr. President” Essay Contest
Rand McNally and USA TODAY Education invite students in the 7-12th grades to tell the President what’s on their minds via Rand McNally’s “Dear Mr. President” essay contest, running from August 15 through November 27, 2012. From the submitted essays, ten finalists (five from 7-9th grade submissions and five from the 10-12th grade submissions) will receive a three-day, two-night WorldStrides DiscoverNOW! trip for two to Washington, D.C. In addition, the finalists will have their essays published in a “Dear Mr. President” ebook and on USA TODAY’s Education website, www.education.usatoday.com.
Two Grand Prize winners will be chosen, one from the 7-9th grade finalist entries and one from the 10-12th grade finalist entries. Each Grand Prize winner will receive a $5,000 529 Scholarship. The schools for the Grand Prize winners will each receive $5,000 of Rand McNally product.
Play the Election and more detailed information and complete contest rules for “Dear Mr. President” are available at www.randmcnally.com/dearmrpresident.
