NEW FOR 5th GRADERS

Teachers, follow up your Jackie Robinson Museum field trip experience by participating in our all-new Speak Out! Poster Contest. Have your students put their Speak Out! commitments into action by designing posters about the issues that matter to them today and the changes they would like to see. Winning posters will be unveiled in a special event and exhibited at the Jackie Robinson Museum.

I’m interested! Tell me more

The Speak Out! poster contest is designed as a follow-up to the Jackie’s Legacy, Your Leadership museum field trip experience and open to all fifth graders who participate in the field trip between November 2024 and April 2025. The objective of the contest is to showcase student-designed posters that highlight the issues that matter to students today and how young leaders are having a positive impact on that issue. Winning entries will be displayed at the Jackie Robinson Museum in Summer 2025 for all visitors to see and learn from.

Key Dates

Exact dates may be subject to change, but we’ll plan to stick to this timeline.

• November 2024 – April 2025 – Eligible field trips take place; Teachers, book your class now!
• FEBRUARY 10, 2025 – Poster submission process opens (see links to entry forms below)
• APRIL 30, 2025 – Poster submission deadline
• May 2025 – Winning entries notified
• June 2025 – Student poster unveiling at the Museum

Contest Guidelines

• Eligibility – Open to all fifth graders who have visited for the Jackie’s Legacy, Your Leadership field trip program at the Jackie Robinson Museum. Teachers, if your class visited the museum for a different program or experience but are still interested in the poster contest, let us know.
• Posters – See below for the scoop on poster requirements and guidelines.
• Teachers, we’re looking at you! (primarily) – We encourage teachers to serve as the primary point of contact for submissions, though parents may submit if teachers assign the contest as an extracurricular activity.
• How to Submit – The submission process includes an online form and an option to mail or drop off the physical posters. The individual and group entry forms are available using the “Submit” buttons below.
  • Before sending the posters: Each poster must be clearly labeled with the student name(s), teacher name, and school name. Ideally, posters from the same class will be clipped together or in an envelope if size allows.
  • To mail: Address in one box or envelope to: Jackie Robinson Museum Education Department / 75 Varick Street 2nd floor /New York, NY 10013
  • To drop off: Bring to the Jackie Robinson Museum Visitor Services Desk, Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 11am-6pm (Address: 75 Varick Street, New York, NY)
• What to Expect from the Contest – The Jackie Robinson Museum will have the option to select entries for either semi-permanent display (several months); temporary display (during the exhibition opening event); or non-display honorable mention.
• Number of Entries – There is no limit on number of entries per class or school, but we will endeavor to represent multiple schools and communities in the posters selected for the exhibit.
• After the Contest – We will hold onto all submissions until June 30, 2025 and allow pick up of posters (that are not on display) by appointment. After that date, we cannot guarantee that posters can be returned and we will not be mailing any entries back to the school or students.

Poster Requirements

• Student work: Posters may be created by individual students or by small groups (up to 5 students).
• Size: Posters must be at least 8.5 x 11in.  and no larger than 12 x 18in.
• Materials: Posters should be original artwork produced by the student (not AI). Any 2D art materials are allowed. Posters must be flat enough to be displayed in a standard frame.
• Content: Posters should clearly address the Speak Out! theme by communicating a topic or issue and call to action through words and/or imagery.
• Description: Each poster should be submitted with a brief statement (up to a paragraph) describing the meaning of the poster and how it connects to the Jackie Robinson Museum visit. Descriptions can either be typed and entered into the online form or attached to the posters and submitted in hard copy.

Submit INDIVIDUAL Student Poster Entries

This form will accept up to ten (10) student poster entries. To enter additional students, just complete the form again.

Reminder! Each student must write a description of their poster and how it connects to their experience at the Jackie Robinson Museum. If you would like to submit descriptions digitally, have them handy and enter them in the form as you go.

 

Submit

Submit GROUP Poster Entries 

This form will accept up to six (6) group poster entries. To enter additional groups, just complete the form again.

Reminder! Each group must write a description of their poster and how it connects to their experience at the Jackie Robinson Museum. If you would like to submit descriptions digitally, have them handy and enter them in the form as you go.

 

Submit

Classroom Resources

Check out our curriculum guide with suggested resources on analyzing and designing posters. Plus, use our resource packet of protest posters and our collection on Jackie Robinson’s use of posters to get started.

VIEW CLASSROOM RESOURCES

What should the poster description include?

The poster description (up to a paragraph) is part of how we will evaluate each student’s Speak Out! commitment and the connection they see between this goal and their Jackie Robinson Museum visit experience. The following prompts are not required, but might help get your students thinking…

The words and pictures in my poster represent…
When people see my poster, I want them to…
The topic that is important to me is ______ because….
At the Jackie Robinson Museum, I got the idea to…
Visiting the Jackie Robinson Museum inspired me….
My poster is a way for me to speak out about my idea to….

 

Questions or feedback?

This is a pilot program in 2024-2025 and we are excited to grow in future years, so if you have questions or feedback, or if you don’t fall within the current eligibility, let us know so we can learn more about interest in this initiative!

Are your fifth graders visiting after the contest closes? Let us know if you would be interested in submitting posters to be considered for the 2026 contest.