Prairie Public has launched its annual PBS KIDS Writers Contest to encourage children’s reading and writing skills through hands-on, active learning. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade in the Prairie Public broadcast area are eligible to submit stories, and the deadline is March 27.

This year, entrants are encouraged to consider the question: What does America mean to you? A resource guide and lesson plans for teachers will be available from Prairie Public to explore the theme at each grade level.

A first-place winner and three Red Ribbon favorites are chosen for each grade level. Every child who enters the contest will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

The contest is sponsored in part by a grant from Mathwig Family Charitable Trust.