Fighting Infectious Diseases:
Vaccine Heroes At Work
Men and women have dedicated their lives to science and their brilliant minds have helped to protect us from dangerous diseases such as polio, measles, tetanus and many more. And, as COVID-19 spreads around the globe, scientists all over the world are busy developing a vaccine to end the pandemic.
Now it’s your turn to tell the story of these amazing scientists …
WHO?
This contest is open to West Virginia school students in grades 5 to 12. Judges will select one winner from each of the following age categories: grades 5-8 and grades 9-12.
WHAT?
Create your own comic strip or short graphic novel (4 pages maximum) about a superhero(es) that develops a vaccine and saves lives. Your submission should have a simple storyline that includes your hero’s name and their life saving adventures. The comic strip or graphic novel can tell the story of either:
- A historic figure who has developed a vaccine; or a
- A future superhero that creates a vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
Download printable comic strip panels or graphic novel pages here or create your own.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- All entries must include student’s name, school & grade, email (or parent’s email address), address and phone number. Note: Only the students’ first name and initial of last name will be posted online.
- Each entry must be an original creation.
- Parent or legal guardian must sign the permission form. The signed permission form must accompany the emailed submission or the mailed submission.
- Each entry must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, or property of any person or entity.
- Entries must not contain any defamatory language or material inappropriate for public viewing.
- Submissions will be accepted via email or U.S. mail.
- Entries must be from a West Virginia school student in grade 5 to 12 (for the 2020-2021 school year) to be eligible to win.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR CONTEST ENTRY:
Students may use the provided blank comic strips or graphic novel pages to fill in their story or create their own comic strips or graphic novel pages. Students that do not have a scanner, but want to submit their work electronically, may take a photo of their work and submit it to the email address below. Please note, if there are multiple pages, take one photo of each page, rather than one photo of all the pages laid out together to ensure that the judges can see the text and illustrations clearly.
Completed entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm, July 15th, or postmarked by July 15th, if mailed.
Questions and submissions can be emailed to: wininfo@wvruralhealth.org or mailed to:
The Center for Rural Health Development75 Chase Drive
Hurricane, WV 25526
HOW WILL THE WINNING ENTRY BE SELECTED?
Entries will be judged by WV Immunization Network Steering Committee, based on the entry’s creativity, historical accuracy (if based on a historical figure) and accuracy of the vaccine development process.
