Young Scientists Article-Writing Competition: Climate Change
Title “How shall we tackle climate change?”
The winning article will: either: (a) advance a new idea that could make a significant impact is limiting or reversing global warming. The idea would have a credible scientific hypothesis or data to support it and some evidence that the technology could be developed to implement it. (“Original Article”) Or (b) propose the most persuasive case for greater adoption of an already existing idea. i.e, the article would marshal scientific and other data to indicate that the technology exists to implement the idea to a greater extent than currently and that greater implementation would make a significant impact on global climate change. (“Review Article”)
• 1st prize of £500
• + £500-worth of runners-up prizes to be distributed between up to 5 runners-up
• + approx 10 highly commended prizes All the prize-winning articles will be published in Young Scientists online journal (www.ysjournal.com). The 1st prize and runners-up articles will also appear in a printed issue of the journal. [Prizes are being kindly donated by OsterMed Ltd.]
Write your article according to model (a) or (b) above. It must be 1000-2000 words long, written in English, and should be suitable for a teenage readership. You will then submit your article online at www.ysjournal.com. This will involve completing a short form, including contact details for yourself and a teacher at your school/college.
Any person, anywhere in the world, in full-time education aged up to and including 19, is eligible to enter. Prize-winners’ teachers will be contacted for personal verification of age and status.
You have until 2359 UT on 30 November 2009 to submit your entries.
May I include pictures, graphs and diagrams?
Yes - however any captions will contribute towards the overall word count.
Should I include a bibliography?
It is essential that you include a bibliography which references any work which is not your own (see referencing guide). This section does not count towards your overall word limit.
No, all entries must be individual. We can accept multiple entries from each school or college, though.
What are the judges looking for?
Marks will be assigned for:
• Knowledge and critical thinking
• A balanced but persuasive argument
• Structure and clear communication
• Appropriate referencing All articles will be subject to a plagiarism software check.
What happens after I submit my essay?
Your article will be double-blind marked from a panel of scientists, journalists and teachers around the world and given a raw score based on a marking scheme. The highest ranked articles (approx.20) will then be read by our panel of grand final judges as well as being posted on the website for people to read and vote for online. This vote will count towards the judges’ final decision.
You will be notified by email and your teacher will be contacted to verify your details. The winning articles will then appear online as stated above.
Get writing and Good Luck!