Food Truck Tales
Everyone has a fun memory tied to food—what’s yours? Think like a gardener and plan like a chef to share your food story by participating in this year’s Longwood Gardens’ STEAM Challenge.
This contest is part of the Longwood Gardens Community Read program. Each spring Longwood and our community partners—gardens, museums, and conservation organizations, as well as many public libraries—explore books about plants, gardens, and nature through a series of programs and discussions throughout the region.
Develop a food truck theme using a base ingredient that you could grow in your garden. You and your team have the opportunity to be innovative and use your food truck theme as your platform to share your food story. The top 10 teams chosen will be required to build a moving model of their food truck and create a 5-minute video about the story behind their food truck. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three teams to assist in greening their school grounds or local community.
- 1st Place: $750
- 2nd Place: $500
- 3rd Place: $250
To Enter
Review all the requirements and the official rules section before submitting your application.
Step 1: Form a group of up to four students, grades 6–12.
Step 2: Research a food item you could grow in your own backyard. This item will be the base ingredient or theme for your food truck.
Step 3: Submit the application form, along with your team’s food truck story and a mockup of the food truck design. Teams that are chosen to participate in the final round will be notified by email. Emails will be sent to the team’s teacher / advisor.
Step 4: Top 10 teams selected for final round:
- Build a moveable model of your food truck.
- Submit a video about your model.
- Top three winning teams will be notified by email on May 11, 2023.
What grade level is appropriate for Food Truck Tales?
This contest is designed for 6th–12th grade students.
Who is this contest meant for?
We welcome public schools, private schools, charter schools, cyber schools, home school co-op groups and after-school groups (Scouts, Libraries, etc.) to participate.
Do I have to see my students in person to participate?
We have prepared this contest to be done with students either in person or virtually. So, no matter if you are seeing your students in person, virtually, or hybrid, students are still able to participate!
What if my students are not located close to Longwood Gardens?
No problem! We have designed the contest to be completed in your space and the contest submission pieces are designed to be done via video submission.
What are the deadlines?
- February 7, 2023 by 5:00 pm–Deadline to register to receive program materials.
- February 10, 2023 by 5:00 pm–Completed applications due.
- February 17, 2023–Ten teams chosen to participate in the final round will be notified by email.
- May 5, 2023 by 5:00 pm–Video submissions due from the selected teams.
- May 11, 2023–Three winning teams will be notified by email.
Questions?
School and Youth Programs
schoolandyouth@longwoodgardens.org
610.388.5377