Adopt a North Carolina Sweet Potato Field Contest

Your class or school can adopt a field of sweet potatoes in one of the top sweet potato growing counties in North Carolina, the number one sweet potato producing state in the US. To be eligible, you must begin the Carolina Sweet Potato Investigation (CSPI) curriculum on or before October 1, 2009. Contest submission will end on May 15, 2010. Contest materials sent must be postmarked on May 15, 2010. Winners will be announced on June 1, 2010. [Please print the contest rules here] [Please download/print the Contest Entry Form here]

Prizes
The name of the winning class and school will be posted on a large road sign located on the edge of a North Carolina sweet potato field in a prominent location. Adoptive classes and school will receive two 40 lb. cartons (contains approximately 120 count) of genuine North Carolina sweet potatoes and Spencer SweetPotato brochures and stickers for individual students. Photos of the field and the sign will be posted on the Internet (www.ncsweetpotatoes.com) for students to view.

Guidelines

Entries will be judged by these criteria:

• Complete the CSPI Curriculum - At least one class in your school must give proof of having completed the CSPI curriculum provided by the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission. This is a comprehensive study designed to help upper elementary students develop research skills using information about sweet potatoes as their topic. The guiding questions posed each month connect these activities with the NC standard course of study in core curricula areas. The curriculum takes the form of a lab journal and sets the stage to be a “CSI” type scene. Each month, students take on a set of questions related to biology, botany, communication skills, geography, math, and economics. Extension activities are suggested. Curriculum is available for download at www.ncsweetpotatoes.com.

• Use of Resources - Using the resources provided on the website www.ncsweetpotatoes.com, along with independent research, students should be enabled to complete exhaustive and creative research projects that help them to learn about this nutritious and delicious vegetable as well as sharpening research skills (based on BIG6 Research Model) for lifelong use.

• Copies of Students’ Work - Evidence of students’ work is to be submitted to the NC Sweet Potato Commission by mail or electronically. The following are evidence of completed work: one representative sample of completed student’s lab journals; creative student projects documented by photos, audio-visuals, and/or videos/DVDs.

• Verification by Teacher/Principal – Submission of signed contest form with a narrative of your experience with the CSPI curriculum citing specific program elements that worked well and the reactions of your students.

How to Enter
Entries must be completed by the teacher or school principal. Entry forms can be downloaded or requested by telephone, e-mail or fax. The entry form and supporting documentation can be sent via the US Postal Service to the address below on or before May 15, 2009.

NC SweetPotato Commission
700 E Parrish Dr Suite C
Benson, NC 27504
Phone: 919-894-1067
FAX: 919-894-7018
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Submissions will be reviewed by officials at the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission and a winner will be notified by June 1, 2010.