NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2010ALMD0056-001272 Oct. 18, 2010

Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development

 

$25,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO SUPPORT B.C.’S FUTURE SCIENTISTS

 

BURNABY – One aspiring scientist will win a $25,000 education scholarship to pursue the career of their dreams as the grand prize in the Year of Science contest launched today at BCIT, announced Advanced Education and Labour Market Development Minister Moira Stilwell.

 

“The goal of B.C.’s Year of Science is to get young people excited about science and the endless career possibilities that an interest in science can lead to,” said Stilwell. “What better way to inspire young minds about scientific discovery than through a contest that rewards them for their original and innovative ideas.”

 

            Based on the popular TV show, “Myth busters”, the “Choose Science. Go Far. Win Big.” contest asks young people to upload videos of their ideas for science experiments. Starting Nov. 1, all entries can be submitted to a dedicated Year of Science YouTube channel. During the year, six finalists will each win a science-related prize package valued at $250.  The grand prize winner of a $25,000 scholarship will be awarded in June 2011. The winning entries will be selected by a panel of science experts.  Winning entries will be chosen based on enthusiasm, originality and ability to carry out the idea as an experiment.  Each month, the winning entry will be executed and videotaped as an actual live experiment by professionals in the area of expertise.

 

"For me, the most important part of the scientific process is the first spark of curiosity - the "I wonder what would happen if..." question, said Sandra Eix, Community Engagement Teams Science Learning Lead, Science World. “By experimenting and exploring to find the answers to our questions, we can all be scientists and understand the world around us better. I'm delighted to be part of a contest that encourages kids to take their questions and turn them into scientific investigations.  I bet we'll all learn something new!”

 

The Year of Science is a major cross-government initiative led by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. The goal is to engage British Columbians in science, in particular young people, by showcasing how science works, who scientists are, the kinds of work they do, and why science matters in the everyday lives of British Columbians and the communities they live in.

 

“At BCIT, we provide a range of hands-on, practical education that is employer-driven and leads to high quality employment for our grads,” said Don Wright, President of BCIT.  “We are proud of the success of our students and are very pleased, as part of the Year of Science, to showcase the amazing career opportunities an education in technology can lead to.” 

 

The Year of Science website features profiles on businesses, science centres and B.C. science personalities who are shaping the face of science in B.C.  A key feature of the website is a province-wide calendar of events, such as science fairs, competitions, seminars and lectures.  To date, there are 248 confirmed events scheduled throughout the province, with many more being added as details are finalized.   Parents, grandparents, teachers and young people are encouraged to visit the website to learn more about science in B.C. and to find out how to get involved in their community.  

 

  Learn more at www.YearofScienceBC.ca.

 

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For media inquires only contact:

Lisa Tees Communications Manager Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development 250 952-6400 250 888-3466 (cell)

 

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.

 

 

BACKGROUNDER

 

‘CHOOSE SCIENCE. GO FAR. WIN BIG.’ CONTEST

 

The Year of Science ‘Choose Science. Go Far. Win Big.’ contest is looking for innovative, solid ideas for science or myth busting experiments that can be performed by local experts. 

 

Who is eligible?

·         The contest will be open to residents of B.C.  Youth are encouraged to enter jointly with their parents. 

 

How do you enter?

·         YouTube will begin accepting entries on Nov. 1. 

·         On or after Nov. 1, visit the Year of Science website for a direct link to the Year of Science contest page hosted on YouTube or go to the YouTube website directly, and search for Year of Science B.C.

·         Young people and their parents are encouraged to upload short videos of their ideas for scientific experiments or to put a ‘myth busters’ type of question to the test. 

·         Videos of actual experiments will not be accepted.

 

How will the ideas be judged?

·         The winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges:  David Savory and Dr. Sandra Eix from Science World, Caitlin Birdsall from the Vancouver Aquarium and Simon Jackson, Spirit Bear Youth coalition founder and Global TV ambassador.  Winning entries will be chosen based on enthusiasm, originality of idea and ability to carry out the idea as an experiment. 

 

What are the prizes?

·         Six secondary science-related prizes valued at approximately $250 will be awarded monthly starting in December.

·         One grand prize of a $25,000 scholarship will be chosen from the finalists and awarded at the conclusion of the Year of Science.

·         Winning experiment ideas will be carried out by professional scientists and broadcast in video form on YouTube.

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For media inquires only contact:

Lisa Tees Communications Manager Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development 250 952-6400 250 888-3466 (cell)

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.