Calling budding science writers!

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.