The South Carolina Energy Office (SCEO) is hosting its first statewide energy education poster contest for K-12 students! This year’s theme, Energy: Beyond the Outlet, invites students to think beyond simply plugging in electronics and explore how energy is created, distributed, consumed, and conserved in South Carolina.
Through their poster entries, students are challenged to apply critical thinking and creatively express the theme, strengthening energy literacy skills that will serve them for years to come. Students are encouraged to illustrate energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation concepts through original artwork.
The contest is open to all K-12 students enrolled in a public, private, territorial, tribal, or home school in South Carolina. Entries will be evaluated for their accuracy, visual impact, theme interpretation, originality, and overall composition. Winners will be selected from the following grade groups: K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th. Each category winner will receive a prize designed to encourage continued exploration of energy concepts.
Entries must be submitted via email to energycs@ors.sc.gov by 5:00 PM ET on November 20, 2026.
The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government.
Poster Contest Flyer (PDF)