VALDOSTA — As part of National Chemistry Week, the Valdosta State University chemistry department is inviting youth to break out their poetry chops. 

Sponsored by the Southwest Georgia Local Section of the American Chemical Society, the illustrated poem contest is for area K-12 students. 

The nationwide theme for National Chemistry Week is “chemistry is out of this world,” so submitted works should be about outer space, said Linda de la Garza, VSU chemistry associate professor.

“The national organization decides the theme every year,” de la Garza said. “It can be about the stars, sun, elements or light.”

The poem contest is another way the VSU chemistry department is committed to community outreach, de la Garza said.

It is especially always trying to find ways to engage with local schools and students, which includes bringing STEM programs directly to those schools.

“The chemistry department has always been active in reaching out,” de la Garza said. “We’re always excited to share our experience and knowledge.”

De la Garza said she receives about 50 submitted drawings and poems every year, with the categories divided up by grade: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

At the local level, the first-place prize for each category is $50. These will be submitted to national level, de la Garza said, which means they would be in the running for a second-place prize of $150 and first-place prize of $300.

Contest rules dictate a poem can be no more than 40 words, and it must be a haiku, limerick, ode, ABC poem free verse, end rhyme or a blank verse. The deadline to submit is Nov. 1. 

“The poem contest is a lot of fun because children are expressing what they’re thinking,” de la Garza said. “It’s not just hard science and numbers — it’s art too. It’s another way for them to explore science and show their excitement, and it helps develop their creativity and visualize.”

Submit entries by sending the drawing, poem and entry form — found at acs.org — to ldelagarza@valdosta.edu. Contact (229) 333-5798 for more information.

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.