Three Wareham Public School students were awarded late last month for their entries in the 2011 Massachusetts Science Poetry Contest.

Wareham Middle School students Brandan Stephens, 14, and Connor Alden, 13, were the first place winners in the 8th grade Cooperative Poem category for their poem entitled "Dinosaurs."

The boys said it was an easy topic for them write about.

“I was obsessed with dinosaurs when I was a kid,” Brandan said.

Science teacher Beth Guffridia introduced the contest to the students in March. She said it took the boys only one class period to complete the poem.

“I am very pleased,” she said about her students’ work.

Kaitlin Kelley of the John W. Decas Elementary School was also a winner in the 4th grade "Expressive" category for her poem entitled “Storm.”

The annual competition is sponsored by Boston College. The contest for grades K-8 has drawn thousands of entries from Bay State students for more than two decades.

The poems reflect scientific principals, ideas, or activities.

Winning poems are being published in a book of science poetry. It is anticipated to be released in the early fall and is currently available for purchase through the schools.

Dinosaurs

By Brandan Stephens and Connor Alden

Dinosaurs roamed the earth

Millions of years ago

Stomping and crushing

Every mammal foe.

Most were large

And covered in scales

And had very long,

Big thrashing tails.

But not all were tall

And walking on ground.

Some were flying

And swimming all around.

Dinosaurs were unique

And their very own kind

But now they’re extinct,

And trust me, I don’t mind.