The Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre (RGSC) is launching a science communication contest for secondary schools entitled ‘4-Minute Science’. The contest aims at encouraging students to disseminate scientific information and explain its relevance to society, to a non-specialist audience, thereby promoting a creative expression of science. Emphasis is laid upon the importance of science and technology for sustainable development.
Students should record their presentations in a video not exceeding four minutes. Videos will
be evaluated by a jury panel and the best videos will be uploaded on social media for public voting.
Note: Public voting on Facebook opens on
24 November 2021
2. OBJECTIVES
• Encourage students to conduct research on Science and Technology and its significance to attain the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Promote the discovery and understanding of facts, concepts, principles and theories that underpin science as a body of knowledge.
3. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
The contest is open to secondary school students of Mauritius as follows:
Category 1: Grades 7,8 and 9
Category 2: Grades 10 and 12
Participants should make the presentations in teams of TWO students under the guidance of ONE educator. Each school may send a MAXIMUM of TWO Teams per Category.
4. VIDEO PRESENTATIONS
Each team should make an oral presentation on a topic of their choice related to Science, Technology and Sustainable Development delivered in English language. The presentation should explain the scientific foundations of the chosen topic and highlight its relevance in society. Examples may include topics such as “A Carbon-Free World”, “Buoyancy Explained”, “The Making of Yoghurt” and “The Wonders of a Battery”.
Participants are encouraged to perform live science experiments, demonstrations or busks to support their presentations. Therefore, the use of tools, props, equipment, chemicals and/or materials is permitted. Participants should then mount an original video not exceeding 1GB. Minor edits may include text edits, illustrations and short extracts but the oral presentation by each participant must predominate in the video.
5. EVALUATION BY JURY
Excellent presentations will include a captivating title, an introduction, a body, a concise explanation of the relevance of the topic for society, a conclusion and acknowledgement of sources. Evaluation by a panel of judges will be based on content, clarity, communication skills (e.g. ability to captivate audience attention, use of humour) and quality of video production.
6. HOW TO PARTICIPATE?
- Step 1: Register – Monday 18 October 2021
Each participating school should register a maximum of TWO teams per category, to signify their intention to participate in the contest. The rector/supervising educator is invited to complete the following online form on behalf of the school.
- Step 2: Online Workshop – Friday 22 October 2021 (tentative)
An online workshop on science communication is scheduled for all registered participants by local and international experts. Details on the modalities of the contest will also be provided.
- Step 3: Submit your Videos – Tuesday 10 November 2021
All teams should submit a digital video which details an oral presentation of their chosen topic. Both students in the team should present. Videos should be original, filmed in landscape and should not exceed 1GB. Resolution should not be higher than HD (High Definition). The duration should be a maximum of 4 minutes.
- Step 4: Public Voting – 15 to 23 November 2021
After evaluation by a panel of judges, the best videos in each category will be uploaded on the facebook page of RGSC for public voting. Public voting closes on 23 November 2021 at 10:00 hrs.
Prizes
Winning teams of each category will be awarded prizes sponsored by the Mauritius Commercial Bank as follows:
Prizes | |
First Prize | Captain Richard Twomey Award+Cash Prize of Rs 10 000 |
Second Prize | Cash Prize of Rs 5 000 |
Third Prize | Cash Prize of Rs 3 000 |
Certificates | |
Gold Certficate | Best Flight Distance > 35 m |
Silver Certificate | Best Flight Distance > 25 m |
Bronze Certificate | Best Flight Distance > 10 m |
8. RULES AND REGULATIONS
• Each team should consist of two students only, working under the supervision of one educator. Each school should register only two teams in each category.
• Students represent their respective school and are not participating as individuals.
• All videos should be original, where participants make an oral presentation in English.
• Videos should not exceed 4 minutes. Teams who fail to submit the videos by 10 November 2021 will be disqualified. Participants who do not respect the time allocated will be penalised.
• By participating in the contest, students and their responsible parties, educators and rectors give permission to the organising committee to use their names, the school names as well as their photographs and videos to promote the contest. Participants release the RGSC and the MCB from any claims, liabilities and/or damages arising directly or indirectly out of their participation in the contest.
• Disrespect, use of foul language and aggressive tones will not be permitted and may lead to disqualification.
• The decision of the Jury is final.
9. ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE
Director
Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre,
Old Moka Road, Bell Village
Tel: 2132773, Fax: 2132726
Email: education@rgsctf.org Website: rgsc.govmu.org
10. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF VIDEOS
1. The team should create a team video to present their chosen topic. The two students in the team should make the oral presentation in ENGLISH.
2. All entries must be in the form of a digital video, filmed in landscape format. Resolution should not be higher than HD (High Definition) and the size of the video should not exceed 1 GB.
3. All videos should start with generic, mentioning the names of team members, their school and the presentation title.
4. The length of the video should not exceed 4 minutes.
5. The video may be edited to include text, sounds and illustrations which support the presentation. However, editing and special effects should not be the focus of the video.
6. During assessment, a high weightage will be allocated for students’ communication skills including body language, charisma and oral presentation.
7. All mandatory fields of the online registration form must be completed when videos are uploaded. In case this is not done, the video will not be considered as eligible.
8. The video along with the duly filled registration form should be uploaded at the following link: click here. The deadline for the submission of videos is 10 November 2021 at 23:59.
9. Only the best videos will be selected for public voting.
10. Entrants grant RGSC and MCB the right to use their names, photographs, statements, quotes, testimonials and video submissions for advertising, publicity, and promotional purposes without notification or further compensation.
11. Entrants also grant RGSC and MCB the right to use, reproduce, reprint, distribute, perform, and/or display the entrant’s video without further compensation or notification to the entrant.
12. RGSC and MCB maintain the right to reproduce, reprint, distribute, perform, display, or exhibit the video for advertising, publicity, and promotional purposes on their website, at conferences, or at any other venue.
13. Entrants agree to be bound by the official contest rules and decisions of the Jury.