National Science Competition; the quest for the nation's top young scientist and technologist
Embargoed until 00.01 Wednesday 10 September
Britain’s most outstanding young science and engineering talent will soon be able to battle it out for one of two new national awards in an exciting new competition.
The National Science Competition is seeking the UK Young Scientist of the Year and the UK Young Technologist of the Year. Each winner will receive an array of substantial prizes including a large cash prize and chances to represent the UK at renowned international science conferences and fairs or other once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Building on existing competitions in science and engineering, this new competition is open to all young people aged 13-19 who have shown exceptional achievement in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The award in science will be given for achievements focused on discovery, exploration and explanation in the sciences (natural, medical and social) and mathematics. The award in technology will be given for achievements focused on design and production in the fields of technology and engineering.
A panel of experts will judge the finalists at the UK Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair on 4-6 March 2009 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London. The Fair celebrates and raises the profile of young people’s innovation and achievement in science and engineering, and leads into National Science and Engineering Week, making it the ideal backdrop for the National Science Competition.
At the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool today, Ian Pearson MP, Minister for Science and Innovation, said: ‘The new National Science Competition is a brilliant way to showcase the enormous talent of the UK’s young scientists and engineers. We would like all young people to become more engaged with science, technology, engineering and maths, and this competition will not only allow those already interested in science to test their abilities but also enable others to see the fun of hands-on science and so inspire them to have a go themselves. ’
The National Science Competition is an initiative of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills as a response to a recommendation in Lord Sainsbury’s report ‘The Race for the Top’. It is being coordinated by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) with support from Young Engineers and the broad science and engineering community. Further information about the National Science Competition (including how to enter) can be found at http://www.nationalsciencecompetition.org/.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net
Note for editors
About the BA
The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.
About the UK Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair
The UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair in 2009 will celebrate and raise the profile of young people’s achievement in science and engineering and to encourage more young people to take part in STEM initiatives with support from their parents and teachers. For the first time ever in 2009, school groups will be invited to the Fair which will take place over three days and include over 200 student projects showcasing innovation and creativity and competing for national and international awards. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science)’s CREST awards and Young Engineers’ competitions and awards will be announced at the Fair as well as many more awards and prizes. The event is being organised by an extensive partnership from across the science, technology, engineering and mathematics communities, with support from the ETB (Engineering and Technology Board). For more information about the Fair visit www.the-ba.net/sciencefair.
About Young Engineers
Participation in Young Engineers activities stimulates interest, appreciation and engagement in the practical application of engineering and technology by young people in primary and secondary education. It enables volunteer teachers and their supporters to provide exciting, challenging and creative activities that enrich the curriculum. Central to Young Engineers’ operations is its growing nationwide network of after school engineering clubs, and the Young Engineer for Britain Competition. www.youngeng.org/
About the BA CREST Awards
CREST (CREativity in Science and Technology) is a project-based award scheme for secondary-age students aiming to recognise and accredit students' achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths. More information is available at www.the-ba.net/crest.
About National Science and Engineering Week (7-16 March 2008)
National Science and Engineering Week takes science to the public rather than waiting for the public to find science. During the week, events are organised throughout the UK by a large and varied range of organisations and individuals including hospitals, schools, industry and museums, with venues ranging from shopping centres to pubs and churches. National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the BA in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). For more information, including an online programme of events, visit www.the-ba.net/nsew.
About the ETB
The Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) is an independent organisation that promotes the vital role of engineers, engineering and technology in our society. The ETB partners business and industry, government and the wider science and technology community: producing evidence on the state of engineering; sharing knowledge within engineering; and inspiring young people to choose a career in engineering, matching employers’ demand for skills. For more information about the ETB please visit http://www.etechb.co.uk/.
About DIUS
DIUS was created by the Prime Minister on 28 June 2007 to provide a coherent and effective Government voice on investment in research, science and skills at all levels. It unites a number of key functions from the former Department of Trade and Industry and Department for Education and Skills. The department brings together the nation’s strengths in all these areas through our universities and colleges to build the UK a dynamic, knowledge-based economy for the 21st century. Britain can only succeed in a rapidly changing world if we develop the skills of our people to the fullest possible extent, carry out world class research and scholarship, and apply both knowledge and skills to create an innovative and competitive economy. http://www.dius.gov.uk/
Britain’s most outstanding young science and engineering talent will soon be able to battle it out for one of two new national awards in an exciting new competition.
The National Science Competition is seeking the UK Young Scientist of the Year and the UK Young Technologist of the Year. Each winner will receive an array of substantial prizes including a large cash prize and chances to represent the UK at renowned international science conferences and fairs or other once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Building on existing competitions in science and engineering, this new competition is open to all young people aged 13-19 who have shown exceptional achievement in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The award in science will be given for achievements focused on discovery, exploration and explanation in the sciences (natural, medical and social) and mathematics. The award in technology will be given for achievements focused on design and production in the fields of technology and engineering.
A panel of experts will judge the finalists at the UK Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair on 4-6 March 2009 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London. The Fair celebrates and raises the profile of young people’s innovation and achievement in science and engineering, and leads into National Science and Engineering Week, making it the ideal backdrop for the National Science Competition.
At the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool today, Ian Pearson MP, Minister for Science and Innovation, said: ‘The new National Science Competition is a brilliant way to showcase the enormous talent of the UK’s young scientists and engineers. We would like all young people to become more engaged with science, technology, engineering and maths, and this competition will not only allow those already interested in science to test their abilities but also enable others to see the fun of hands-on science and so inspire them to have a go themselves. ’
The National Science Competition is an initiative of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills as a response to a recommendation in Lord Sainsbury’s report ‘The Race for the Top’. It is being coordinated by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) with support from Young Engineers and the broad science and engineering community. Further information about the National Science Competition (including how to enter) can be found at http://www.nationalsciencecompetition.org/.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Lisa Hendry, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Email: lisa.hendry@the-ba.net
Note for editors
About the BA
The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.
About the UK Young Scientists’ and Engineers’ Fair
The UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair in 2009 will celebrate and raise the profile of young people’s achievement in science and engineering and to encourage more young people to take part in STEM initiatives with support from their parents and teachers. For the first time ever in 2009, school groups will be invited to the Fair which will take place over three days and include over 200 student projects showcasing innovation and creativity and competing for national and international awards. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science)’s CREST awards and Young Engineers’ competitions and awards will be announced at the Fair as well as many more awards and prizes. The event is being organised by an extensive partnership from across the science, technology, engineering and mathematics communities, with support from the ETB (Engineering and Technology Board). For more information about the Fair visit www.the-ba.net/sciencefair.
About Young Engineers
Participation in Young Engineers activities stimulates interest, appreciation and engagement in the practical application of engineering and technology by young people in primary and secondary education. It enables volunteer teachers and their supporters to provide exciting, challenging and creative activities that enrich the curriculum. Central to Young Engineers’ operations is its growing nationwide network of after school engineering clubs, and the Young Engineer for Britain Competition. www.youngeng.org/
About the BA CREST Awards
CREST (CREativity in Science and Technology) is a project-based award scheme for secondary-age students aiming to recognise and accredit students' achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths. More information is available at www.the-ba.net/crest.
About National Science and Engineering Week (7-16 March 2008)
National Science and Engineering Week takes science to the public rather than waiting for the public to find science. During the week, events are organised throughout the UK by a large and varied range of organisations and individuals including hospitals, schools, industry and museums, with venues ranging from shopping centres to pubs and churches. National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the BA in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). For more information, including an online programme of events, visit www.the-ba.net/nsew.
About the ETB
The Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) is an independent organisation that promotes the vital role of engineers, engineering and technology in our society. The ETB partners business and industry, government and the wider science and technology community: producing evidence on the state of engineering; sharing knowledge within engineering; and inspiring young people to choose a career in engineering, matching employers’ demand for skills. For more information about the ETB please visit http://www.etechb.co.uk/.
About DIUS
DIUS was created by the Prime Minister on 28 June 2007 to provide a coherent and effective Government voice on investment in research, science and skills at all levels. It unites a number of key functions from the former Department of Trade and Industry and Department for Education and Skills. The department brings together the nation’s strengths in all these areas through our universities and colleges to build the UK a dynamic, knowledge-based economy for the 21st century. Britain can only succeed in a rapidly changing world if we develop the skills of our people to the fullest possible extent, carry out world class research and scholarship, and apply both knowledge and skills to create an innovative and competitive economy. http://www.dius.gov.uk/
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