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View All 2024 Contest Submissions
Congratulations to our 2024 winners:
Lupine Reef
Meara P. of Brunswick
Brunswick Jr. High – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.133.png
Map of the Nonterra Islands
Mattimeo R. of Standish
Homeschool – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.102.jpg
Fantasy Island
Lothian M. of Gorham
Narragansett Elementary – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.241.jpeg
(1st, 2nd, 3rd Place overall winners not eligible)
Vagaslow
Grace H. of Falmouth
Falmouth Elementary – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.300.jpeg
Falcon Island
Maggie M. of Brunswick
Harriet Beecher Stowe School – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.171.jpeg
Journey to Jaws Cave
Alena B. of Greene
Fiddlehead School of Arts & Science – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.108.jpg
Europe 1944 – World War 2
Aleksander W. of Falmouth
Falmouth Elementary – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.118.jpg
Train of Thoughts
Julia H. of South Berwick
Marshwood Great Works School – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.126.jpg
Story Isle
Scotia B. of Montville
Homeschool – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.143.png
Sock Land
Rowan C. of Gorham
Narragansett Elementary – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.183.jpeg
The Floating Islands of Farinedel
Kellen M. of Yarmouth
Yarmouth Elementary – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.227.png
Antarctica
Cooper W. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.258.jpeg
Switzerland
Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Country Map
Zoey D. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.288.jpeg
Rare Birds of Maine
Honorable Mention for Judge’s Favorite Maine Map
Laura C. of Falmouth
Falmouth Elementary – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.201.jpeg
100 Acre Wood
Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Literary Map
Natalie S. of Brunswick
Brunswick Jr. High – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.159.jpeg
Dream Land
Honorable Mention for Excellent Watercoloring
Alexis S. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.254.jpeg
World Map in Flags
Honorable Mention for Most Detailed Map
Elli W. of Cumberland
Waynflete Academy – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.299.jpeg
Ecosystem Map
Honorable Mention for Best Reference Map
Maya B. of Portland
Waynflete Academy – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.117.jpg
Lost Land
Honorable Mention for Excellent Digital Art
Elijah H. of Gray
Fiddlehead School of Arts & Sciences – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.125.jpg
The Mixed-Up States of America
Honorable Mention for Unique Concept
Iris P. of Brunswick
Brunswick Jr. High – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.309.jpeg
Shark Island
Honorable Mention for Excellent Color Penciling
Reece C. of Brunswick
Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.327.jpeg
Fantasyopolis
Honorable Mention for Unique Coloring Technique
Corinne C. of Brunswick
Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.326.jpg
Cretacia
Honorable Mention for Best Variety of Animals
Carter B. of Gorham
Narragansett Elementary – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.231.jpeg
Fruit Island
Honorable Mention for Most Delicious Rivers
Harper C. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.263.jpeg
The Isole
Honorable Mention for Excellent Ocean Details
Kevin C. of Brunswick
Brunswick Jr. High – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.310.jpeg
Reader’s Edge Islands
Honorable Mention for Commitment to Theme
Ava H. of Brunswick
Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.193.jpeg
Butterfly Island
Honorable Mention for Marker Technique
Riley H. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.281.jpeg
Lunar Island
Honorable Mention for Excellent Lettering
Annabelle F. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.252.jpeg
Orabella Island
Honorable Mention for Most Mysterious Tunnel
Zoe K. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.289.jpeg
Pacific Beach Map
Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Sunset Scene
Lucy M. of Cape Neddick
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.272.jpeg
Celestia
Honorable Mention for Excellent Shading Technique
Elliana M. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.261.jpeg
Fairytale Hollow
Honorable Mention for Excellent Color Scheme
Arielle N. of Yarmouth
Yarmouth Elementary – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.204.jpeg
Lobsterland
Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Border
Whitney P. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.287.jpeg
Pactopia
Honorable Mention for Tastiest Homes
Violet R. of Brunswick
Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary – 5th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.190.jpeg
City 7
Honorable Mention for Excellent Contour Lines
Link R. of Standish
Homeschool – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.103.jpg
Paint Island and the Invisible Treasure
Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Hidden Details (UV ink)
Amelia S. of South Berwick
Marshwood Great Works School – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.234.jpeg
Diamond Island
Honorable Mention for Judges Favorite Compass Rose
Ollie W. of Brunswick
Brunswick Jr. High – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.162.jpeg
Ancient Island of Eyjon
Honorable Mention for Excellent Landform Designs
Owyn A. of Kittery
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.277.jpeg
Cheese Island
Honorable Mention for the Island with the Most Saturated Fat
Linnea C. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.271.jpeg
Sunflower Island
Honorable Mention for Most Floral Island
Alivia C. of Limington
Hollis Elementary – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.149.jpeg
Tayland
Honorable Mention for Thorough Discography
Harper C. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.264.jpeg
Catfiti
Honorable Mention for Judges Favorite Cat Island
Chloe D. of York
York Middle School – 6th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.256.jpeg
Isle of Sweets
Honorable Mention for Sweetest Island
Jaxon F. of West Gardiner
Homeschool – 4th Grade.
See larger at https://oshermaps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/24.336.jpeg
…to enter our Illustrated Mapmaking Contest for the chance to win a $1,000 first prize ($500 for you, $500 for your class)! Prizes will also be awarded for second and third places, as well as “Best in Grade.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ENTRY RELEASE FORM
*For Teachers: you may schedule a free mapmaking workshop during school hours for your students by form or by email.
Option 1 (preferred): Mail your map and Entry Release Form to:
Osher Map Library & Smith Center for Cartographic Education
(Attn: Mapmaking Contest)
P.O. Box 9301
Portland, Maine 04104
Option 2: upload a high quality scan and submission information at oshermaps.org/mapmaker-form or email the scan of the map along with the contest release form to: renee.keul@maine.edu. Please note that the scan must be high-quality and appropriately cropped. Please double-check your scan before emailing. JPG is preferred. Scans are preferred over photographs, as photographs have uneven lighting and if the lens axis is not exactly perpendicular to the map, the map will be distorted.
Q. Does my map have to be of a real place?
A. No, it can be a map of a real place or someplace or something completely imaginary! If you’re looking for inspiration or ideas, check out our Map Idea Generator.
Q. Can I work with another student to make my map?
A. Sorry, no. All the work needs to be your own!
Q. How are maps judged?
A. Every year, we bring together an independent panel of educators, artists, and cartographers to help OML staff with the judging of our annual mapmaking contest. All submissions are reviewed by the panel, and after extensive discussion, the panel selects 12 finalists to go on to the online community voting round. Maps are judged blindly; judges do not see names or schools. This year, because we have maps being sent in by 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders, we have a new prize category: “Best in Grade.” The three “Best in Grade” maps will be selected by the judging panel. It is possible that a map selected as “Best in Grade” will not be among the Top Twelve Finalists.
Q. Which will be more likely to win: maps made on computers or hand-drawn maps?
A. Remember that the final winner will be chosen by online voting. However, the 12 finalists will be chosen by committee based on originality (creativity and uniqueness) and aesthetics (how nice they look). Maps made on the computer can be more mathematically precise, but that will not matter for this contest. Use whatever method allows you to create the most unique map you can!
Q. Can I use any art material to make my map, so long as it is flat?
A. You can use any standard art medium, but if you use something that might by messy, such as chalk pastels, you need to spray it with fixative. We will be scanning the finalist maps for online voting, and we can’t risk damaging our scanner!
Q. Can I put printed images on a hand-drawn map?
A. You can create images on the computer, print them off, and paste them on your map if you would like. However, if you’re using images you get online, a lot of that is protected by copyright laws, and we could theoretically get in trouble for displaying it on our website. For that reason, all of the illustrations should be your own.
Q. When you say that my map can be created on a computer, are you talking about a certain program?
A. There are multiple programs that can be used to design maps, but we were specifically thinking of software like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program). GIMP is free online (www.gimp.org), but it can be pretty tricky to use at first. If you want to try it, you will probably need to spend a few hours with the tutorials (www.gimp.org/tutorials). Pixlr.com is also a good program with great tutorials, and it requires no downloads.
Q. Can an illustrated map use words?
A. Yes! In fact, most illustrated maps DO use words.
See Entries from 2024See Entries from 2023See Entries from 2022See Entries from 2021See Entries from 2020See Entries from 2019See Entries from 2018See Entries from 2017See Entries from 2016
Questions? Email K-12 Outreach Coordinator, Renee Keul, at renee.keul@maine.edu.