Mapmaking Contest

NOTE FOR EDUCATORS

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THE VOTES ARE IN!

View All 2023 Contest Submissions

Congratulations to our 2023 winners:


First Place

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Titasia by Jasper B.
York Middle School, 6th Grade


Second Place

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Guide to Pexa by Gracyn R.
Falmouth Elementary School, 5th Grade


Third Place

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Aroadia: A Fantasy World by Sam D.
Brunswick Jr. High School, 6th Grade


Judge’s Best in Grade Prizes

(1st, 2nd, 3rd Place overall winners not eligible)


Fourth Grade

Judges Choice for 4th Grade – Wins $100
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Meatball Island by Evie E.
Marshwood Great Works, 4th Grade


Fifth Grade

Judges Choice for 5th Grade – Wins $100
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Antural by Ana K.
Falmouth Elementary School, 5th Grade


Sixth Grade

Judges Choice for 6th Grade – Wins $100
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No Name by Izzy R.
Fiddlehead School of Arts and Science, 6th Grade


Other Top Twelve Maps


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New Elvaeraan City by Beckett K.
Brunswick Jr. High School, 6th Grade


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The Element Galaxy by Sylvie O.
Great Falls Elementary, 4th Grade


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Downtown Wiscasset, Maine by Daniel M.
Narragansett Elementary, 4th Grade


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Marauder’s Map by Sunny H.
Windham Christian Academy, 5th Grade


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A Dragon’s Guide to Pantala by Lucie H.
Center for Teaching and Learning, 5th Grade


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Dark Island by Bella H.
Brunswick Jr. High School, 6th Grade


2022 Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Toy Themed Map – Barbie Island

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Barbie Island by Addyson C.
Marshwood Great Works School, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Novel Themed Map – Hunger Games

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Hunger Games by Lincoln C.
Marshwood Great Works School, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Digitally Created Map – Ayrtelc

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Ayrtelc by Osa B.
Fiddlehead School of Arts and Science, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Pictorial Maine Map – Treasures of Maine

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Treasures of Maine by Strand B.
Pond Cove School, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Monster Themed Map – Monstertopia

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Monstertopia by Keegan C.
Marshwood Great Works School, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Food Themed Map – Sandwich Islands!

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Sandwich Islands! by Blake M.
York Middle School, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Transportation Themed Map – Altus Isles

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Altus Isles by Phoebe O.
Brunswick Jr. High School, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Animal Illustrations – Aromenal Isle

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Aromenal Isle by Kylie L.
Brunswick Jr. High School, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Farm Map – My Sweet Farm

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My Sweet Farm by Alaura G.
Marshwood Great Works School, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Invented Monsters – The Black Desert

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The Black Desert by Ivan D.
Fiddlehead School of Arts and Science, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Multiple Language Map – Lang Lang

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Lang Lang by Cole W.
Fiddlehead School of Arts and Science, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Math Themed Map – Pi-ville

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Pi-ville by Avery C.
Yarmouth Elementary School, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Storytelling Map – Mountain Clan Territory

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Mountain Clan Territory by Sammie B.
Buxton Center Elementary, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Sea Serpant – Skull Island

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Skull Island by Sebastian D.
Marshwood Great Works School, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Ocean Illustrations – The Map to the Island of Gold

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The Map to the Island of Gold by David M.
Narragansett Elementary, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Spooky Map – Death Island

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Death Island by Hadley M.
Wentworth School, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Digital Illustrations – The Isles of Creation

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The Isles of Creation by Waylon M.
Falmouth Elementary, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Bird Themed Map – Swan Island

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Swan Island by Alexandra D.
Yarmouth Elementary School, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Excellent Use of Inset Map – The Fonolei Islands

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The Fonolei Islands by Quint C.
Marshwood Great Works School, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Canine Illustration – Corgi World

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Corgi World by Sawyer P.
Breakwater School, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Depiction of an Eclipse – The Planet of Ysiyet

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The Planet of Ysiyet by Esty S .
Breakwater School, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Compass Rose – Tromeros Island

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Tromeros Island by Faith L.
Windham Christian Academy, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Creative Place Names – Alishia

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Alishia by Jordyn B.
Windham Christian Academy, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Humorous Map – Strooberry Island

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Strooberry Island by Sam K.
Yarmouth Elementary School, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Use of Biomes – Zyphin: Land of the Spirits

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Zyphin: Land of the Spirits by Claire G.
Yarmouth Elementary School, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Fictional Flag – Four Seasons Islands

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Four Seasons Islands by Anna F.
Yarmouth Elementary, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Excellent Lettering – Lunar Island

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Lunar Island by Serafina R.
Center for Teaching and Learning, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Excellent Watercolor Technique – Phoenix Islands

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Phoenix Islands by Octavia A.
Center for Teaching and Learning, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Music Themed Map – A Musician’s Guide to Perfect Harmony

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A Musician’s Guide to Perfect Harmony by Mary P.
Center for Teaching and Learning, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Tolkein Map – My Middle Earth

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My Middle Earth by Keegan C.
Center for Teaching and Learning, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Sports Themed Map – A Navigation to my Skates

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A Navigation to my Skates by Josie W.
Center for Teaching and Learning, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Video Game Themed Map – 8-Bit Isles

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8-Bit Isles by Ford H.
Center for Teaching and Learning, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Excellent Use of Color – Land of Light

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Land of Light by Evan H.
Narragansett Elemetary, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Excellent Use of Rhumb Lines – Blackbone Island

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Blackbone Island by Tom H.
Narragansett Elemetary, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Camp Map – Camp Huckins, NH

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Camp Huckins, NH by Eve H.
Pond Cove Elementary, 4th Grade


Honorable Mention for Excellent Worldbuilding – Islands of Zuhaaros

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Islands of Zuhaaros by Alena B.
Fiddlehead School of Arts & Science, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Dog-Themed Map – Puppy Place

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Puppy Place by Georgia F.
Yarmouth Elementary, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Map Border – Ygadrasil

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Ygadrasil by Mina M.
York Middle School, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Sequel Map – Fairy Island 2

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Fairy Island 2 by Annika E.
Brunswick Jr. High School, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Judges’ Favorite Shipwrecks Map – Maroon Island

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Maroon Island by Liliana O.
Brunswick Jr. High School, 6th Grade


Honorable Mention for Excellent Use of Coordinates – Athlete Island

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Athlete Island by Lucien B.
Falmouth Elementary School, 5th Grade


Honorable Mention for Excellent Colored Pencil Technique – Haratopia

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Haratopia by Harlie M.
Windham Middle School, 6th Grade


Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education Mapmaking Contest!

Inviting all Maine 4th, 5th, 6th Graders…

…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.”


  • Monday, April 24, 2023 – maps submitted by mail should be postmarked by this date.
  • Thursday, April 27, 2023 – digital submissions must be emailed by this date (if dropping off in person, do so by 4:00pm of this date).
  • Saturday, May 6, 2023 – 12 finalists announced, online voting begins at 12:00pm.
  • Saturday, May 13, 2023 – online voting ends, and winner is revealed the next day!
  • *For Teachers: you may schedule a free mapmaking workshop during school hours for your students (groups of 10-35) by form or by email.


    Important Things to Know:

    • Your map must be flat (2-dimensional) and no larger than 11×17 inches. Beware: A lot of construction paper is 18×12 inches, which is too large for our scanner.
    • Your map may be created on or with a computer as long as the work is all yours.
    • If you submit by mail, please make a photocopy if you would like to keep one, because the maps will not be mailed back. You may also submit a copy and keep the original, but your photocopy must be high-quality. If the quality of the photocopy isn’t good, it may hurt your chances of getting chosen for the Top Twelve.
    • If you choose to submit a scan of your map by email (renee.keul@maine.edu), the scan must be high-quality and appropriately cropped. No photographs please. Photographs have uneven lighting and if the lens axis is not exactly perpendicular to the map, the map will be distorted, so please use an actual scanner if you want to submit by email. If you do not have a scanner at home, you can scan your map at Staples or FedEx for a small cost ($0.49). File extension .jpg is preferred. Please avoid .pdf as some programs try to auto-recognize text, which can distort handwritten labels.
    • Your map should be original, creative, and unassisted.
    • Your map may depict any real or imaginary place, but should be illustrated (in other words, use pictures).
    • Your completed Entry Release Form should be attached to the back side of the map.
    • If you are home-schooled, include the name of the public library that you use the most on your entry release form.
    • Still have questions? Email K-12 Outreach Coordinator, Renee Keul, at renee.keul@maine.edu.

    How to Submit Your Map:

    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: email a high quality scan to: renee.keul@maine.edu. Please note that the scan must be high-quality and appropriately cropped. JPG is preferred. No photographs please, as photographs have uneven lighting and if the lens axis is not exactly perpendicular to the map, the map will be distorted.


    Frequently Asked Questions:

     
    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 2023
    See Entries from 2022
    See Entries from 2021
    See Entries from 2020
    See Entries from 2019
    See Entries from 2018
    See Entries from 2017
    See Entries from 2016


    Questions? Email K-12 Outreach Coordinator, Renee Keul, at renee.keul@maine.edu.


    Need Colored Pencils or Watercolors?