Scholarships & prizes on offer to budding scientists

| 02/02/2011

(CNS): Students are being urged by a local NGO to register for its science fair and seize the opportunity to win prizes and scholarships. In its fifth year, the Rotary Central science fair at Camana Bay’s Arts and Recreation Centre offers any middle or high-school student from public or private schools registered in the Cayman Islands the chance to win scholarship awards of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000. In previous years, winners in each category have also taken home a laptop. Cash awards are held in trust and released to students when they enter college, university or a technical school. “The fair is a competition designed to generate interest in science and its development among young people,” said Wil Pineau, president of Rotary Central.

“Students who complete science fair projects tend to acquire skills such as independent research, analytical thinking, and creative problem solving. It develops creativity, tenacity and confidence, and increases self-esteem, and may even suggest career opportunities for the future. A completed science project can continue as a basis for further research while you attend college,” he added.

Prizes are awarded by a panel of impartial judges, often local educators, who have not been involved in any of the fair’s projects, meaning parents, teachers and supervisors are excluded.

This year’s fair takes place on Saturday 2 April, between 8:30am and 3pm at Camana Bay and the registration deadline is Tuesday 15 February.

“Registration is the first step toward entering the science fair,” said Sandy Cram, the Science Fair chair for this year’s event, which is free. Forms are available through all science teachers, schools and the science fair website – www.rotarysciencefair.ky.

“Once you’ve selected a topic and discussed it with your science teacher, discuss it with your parents as well. Then fill out the application form and submit it to your science teacher by February 15th. Once received, someone will email you to confirm your registration. In late February, a workshop will be held for all applicants to outline the next steps,” Cram added.

Rotary Central is already contacting local schools, encouraging the broadest possible participation. The organisation is also appealing to corporate sponsors and seeking volunteers to mentor entrants.

Three prizes are awarded in five categories:

1) Earth Sciences, including the environment, weather, astronomy and ecology
2) Food and health
3) Lifesciences, including microbiology, botany or zoology
4) Physics/chemistry
5) Computer Science

More information and registration documents can be found at www.rotarysciencefair.ky.

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