Last week saw the launch of the RCSU Imperial College Science Challenge 2009
The Challenge? To write an 800-word response to one of the questions set by the panel of judges, competing for a share of the prizes including cash prizes of up to £5000!
This year’s four questions set by their respective judges are:
- What might we learn from the Large Hadron Collider project?
Prof. Tejinder Virdee, CERN
- What can be done to ensure an informed and balanced debate of Science and Technology?
Dr. Martyn Sené, NPL
- Will Homo Sapiens continue to evolve? If so, how?
Prof. Armand Leroi, Imperial College
- Hydrogen is key to tackling the world’s rapidly increasing demand for energy. Discuss.
Duncan Macleod, Shell
The Science Challenge is judged in two categories – Imperial College students, and school-age students in years 11-13 at any UK school. School-aged entrants compete for bursaries to study at Imperial College, and Imperial students compete for cash! In addition all winners are invited to take part in some money-can’t-buy science experiences:
- A day shadowing Lord Robert Winston
- A trip to CERN, with a guided tour of the facilities
- A trip to NPL, with a guided tour of the facilities
- A trip to one of Shell’s laboratories
So, if you have contact with Imperial College students (ahem) or school age children in Years 11-13, encourage them to have a think about the questions and, if they feel so inspired, to construct their essay and to send it in.
You never know where it may lead.
Q: _Will Homo Sapiens continue to evolve? If so, how?
Prof. Armand Leroi, Imperial College_
A: Yes. Through (natural, neutral or artificial) selection.