Pennsylvania students are invited to depict aviation's importance to public safety by participating in the annual 2014 aviation art contest.

The contest theme, "Flying Saves Lives," aims to illustrate how aircraft can transport much-needed supplies or provide relief during emergencies.

Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 17, 2014.

Entries from children ages 6 to 17 will be accepted in three categories. The junior category is for those born between Jan. 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2007; the intermediate category includes those born between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2003; and the senior category includes those born between Jan. 1, 1996, and Dec. 21, 1999.

Winners will be named in each age group from each of PennDOT's 11 engineering districts.

The department will also recognize statewide winners and runners-up selected in each age group.

Winners will receive an enlarged copy of their entry and a certificate signed by PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch.

The students' schools will also receive an enlarged copy of the artwork for display.

The top three entries statewide in each category will be forwarded for judging in the national competition.

The top three winners in each age group in the national competition will be submitted to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale for international judging.

Artwork must be submitted on 11.75 by 16.5-inch paper, or the nearest possible equivalent.

Submissions must not be framed or outlined with borders

All work must be done by hand (with an exception for children with physical challenges).

Permitted media include watercolor, acrylic, oil paint, indelible marker pens, felt-tip pens, soft ball point pens, indelible ink, crayons or any similar medium.

Work using pencil, charcoal or other non-permanent media, computer-generated artwork or collage work involving photocopies is not permitted.

The back of each submission should include the artwork title, entrant's name, home address, birth date, county of residence, and the name and address of the school the child attends.

The back of each entry must also have the contest's authenticity certificate, which can be printed from the contest website at www.nasao.org.

Send entries to Bureau of Aviation, c/o William Sieg, 400 North St., Harrisburg, 17120 or P.O. Box 3457, Harrisburg, 17120-0064.