Museum of Illusions’ Mind-Bending Story Competition


To celebrate World Book Day on 6th March 2025, the Museum of Illusions Manchester is launching a competition for local Manchester schools: Museum of Illusions’ Mind-Bending Story Competition. We’re inviting students to write a short story of max 500 words where they enter a portal and find themselves in a mind-bending new world surrounded by illusions! 



The winning entry, selected by local award-winning children’s author Marie Basting, will win their class a free school trip to Manchester’s newest interactive museum filled with mind-bending optical illusions, holograms, and immersive exhibits.


This is a fantastic opportunity for students to unleash their creativity while building storytelling and critical thinking skills. The winning class will enjoy a one-of-a-kind school trip to the Museum of Illusions, where they’ll explore mind-bending exhibits blending science, psychology, and art. Each interactive display is designed to challenge perception, encourage problem-solving, and bring learning to life in a fun and immersive way.


Beyond entertainment, the museum serves as a valuable educational space where students can discover the fascinating science behind optical illusions and visual perception. Plus, it’s fully accessible, ensuring everyone can take part in the experience.


Terms & Conditions

Organiser

  • The competition is organised by the Museum of Illusions Manchester, located at 58-66 Market St, Manchester M1 1PW.

Eligibility

  • The competition is open to students in Year 3 to Year 6 from schools in the Greater Manchester area.

  • Entries must be submitted by a teacher on behalf of their class.

  • Each class must submit at least one entry, but multiple entries are welcome.

  • Stories must be the students’ original work and must not be generated by AI or plagiarised from other sources.

Entry Requirements

  • Stories must be no longer than 500 words.

  • The theme of the story should involve entering a portal and discovering a strange new world. Just like the mind-bending exhibits in the museum, we’d love to see stories that challenge perception, spark curiosity, and play with reality—where nothing is quite as it seems!

  • Entries can be written individually by students or as a collaborative class project.

  • Submissions must be made through the official entry form on the Museum of Illusions Manchester website.

Submission Process

  • Entries open on 6th March 2025 (World Book Day).

  • The deadline for submissions is 28th April 2025 at 11:59 PM (GMT).

  • Entries submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Judging Process

  • Entries will be judged by a panel including award-winning author Marie Basting. The judging criteria include:
  • Creativity: Unique and imaginative use of illusions in storytelling.

  • Engagement: Captivating narrative that holds the reader’s attention.

  • Clarity & Structure: A well-structured story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

  • Relevance: The story must incorporate the theme of illusions.

  • Originality: Entries must be the students’ own original work.

  • The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the results.

Prizes

  • The winning entry will win a free class trip to the Museum of Illusions Manchester.

  • The trip includes entry for the winning class and accompanying teachers.

  • The date of the trip will be coordinated with the winning school. The winning class can visit the museum from May 2025 until the end of the year.

  • The trip is non-transferable and is only valid for the winning class.

  • The school will need to cover travel expenses.

  • Students must be accompanied by an adequate number of chaperones, as per school trip policies.

Announcement of Winner

  • The winning class will be notified via their school contact by 15th May 2025.

  • The winner will also be announced on the Museum of Illusions Manchester’s website and social media channels.

Permissions & Copyright

  • By submitting an entry, participants grant the Museum of Illusions Manchester permission to share and publish the story on their website, social media, and promotional materials.

  • The copyright remains with the student, but the Museum of Illusions Manchester retains the right to use the story for promotional purposes.

Data Protection

  • Personal information collected during the submission process will only be used for the purposes of administering the competition.

  • Data will not be shared with third parties.

General Conditions

  • The Museum of Illusions Manchester reserves the right to cancel or modify the competition if necessary.

  • By entering, participants agree to abide by these terms and conditions.

  • For any questions, please contact [email protected].


We look forward to reading your fantastic stories and welcoming the winning class to the Museum of Illusions Manchester!

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