Category Archives: Contests

The American Society of Human Genetics is hosting an essay contest for students in grades 9-12 for “DNA Day”, which marks the 1953 discovery of the DNA double helix and the 2003 completion of the Human Genome Project. Prizes are offered for first, second, and third place, and honorable mentions. The contest is open to classroom and homeschooled students. The essay submissions should address the following question:

2013 marks the 60^th anniversary of the discovery of the double helix of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick and the 10^th anniversary of the first sequencing of the human genome. Choose either of these breakthroughs and explain its broader impact on biotechnology, human health and disease, or our understanding of basic genetics, such as genetic variation or gene expression.

Justify your answer in detail and be sure to include one or more specific examples of broader impact. Use reliable references and citations to support your argument, for example, research published by experts in scientific journal articles and books.

Go here for more information about the contest and the submission site. Deadline for entries is March 15th.

The 2nd International Humans in Space Youth Art Competition, sponsored by NASA, USRA, and DLR, is now accepting entries.

From the competition’s site:

“The international Humans in Space Youth Art Competition encourages youth to “Be Inspired, Creative and Heard.” We ask them to think about the future of human space flight and to creatively communicate their ideas, and we promise to make these ideas viewable worldwide.  By including the next generation in the planning of the future, the competition aims to enhance their awareness, interest in and support for human space flight, and to allow their ideas to begin shaping the future now.

The current 2012 competition invites young people from 10 to18 years of age to submit visual, literary, musical and video artwork expressing their vision of how humans will use science and technology in the future to explore space and uncover its mysteries.”

The deadline for entries is November 15th, 2012.

To learn more and enter, visit the competition website.