10/04/12 ema

HAYS, Kan. -- As part of the nationwide Earth Science awareness campaign, Fort Hays State University's Department of Geosciences hosts events and contests throughout the month of October.

Entries are being accepted for the seventh annual Earth Sciences Week photography contest until noon on Monday, Oct 22.

Faculty, staff, students and community members are eligible to participate.

Photos will be accepted for judging in the following categories: ecology, geology, weather, water or Earth science careers.

The Earth Science Week theme this year is "Discovering Careers in the Earth Sciences." This category is open to interpretation and participants must provide a detailed description of the interpretations when submitting the photograph.

There is a limit of one entry per category per person, five photos in all. Photos may be digital or photographs that have been scanned. No photographs submitted in a previous contest may be submitted.

Judging will be based on the ability of the photo to capture interest and illustrate the category concept, the scientifically accurate description of the photo and the composition and aesthetics of the photo.

Submitted photographs must be accompanied by the full name of the photographer, address of photographer, telephone number, email address, submission category, photograph date, geographic coordinates of the locations and a description of the photo and how it illustrates the category concept.

Photographs must be named according to the following guidelines: name_category_descriptive text.jpg.

Winners will be announced at the Geosciences Department fall social and Halloween party on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Prizes will be awarded for first and second place in each category and for the best overall photo.

For more information, contact Dr. John Heinrichs, chair of the Department of Geosciences, at 785-628-4536 or geosciences@fhsu.edu.