In conjunction with a year-long focus on the issue of water, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society is sponsoring a competition for three-minute student films on aspects of this precious and dwindling natural resource. The entry deadline is September 1, 2008.
“Water is among the most crucial issues in science, society, policy, technology and ethics facing the world today,” said Sigma Xi Executive Director Linda K. Meadows. “We hope this film competition will enable students to exercise their creativity in exploring the many facets of this complex issue.”
Prizes of $1,000, $800 and $500 will be awarded for the top three films. The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students, either individually or in teams. There is no entry fee, but individual entrants or at least one member of each team must be members of Sigma Xi.
Winning films will be screened at the 2008 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference next November 20-23 in Washington, D.C., during an international forum on the topic of water. Travel costs to the forum will be provided for individual awardees or up to two members of a winning team.
Water related topics may include, but are not limited to, surface water, ground water, fresh water, oceans, ice caps, desalinization, distribution, health, ecosystems, hydrological cycles, climate change, carbon emissions, science and space.
Entries may be scripted or candid, fictionalizations, live video or animation or any combination of these, but must communicate scientific ideas in a manner that the general public can understand. All submissions must be in a DVD format.
Entries will be evaluated for the quality of their production and for the accuracy and depth of the scientific ideas they present. Click here for the complete guidelines.
Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi is the international honor society for research scientists and engineers, with more than 500 chapters in North America and around the world. Membership is by invitation. More than 200 Sigma Xi members have received the Nobel Prize. In addition to publishing American Scientist magazine, the Society sponsors a number of programs that support science and engineering.