First Annual European DNA Day

Essay Contest for High School Students

Sponsored by the

European Society of Human Genetics

Deadline: April 30, 2008


Description

The contest aims at challenging students to examine, question and reflect on the importance and social implications of genetic research. Essays are expected to contain substantive, well-reasoned arguments indicative of a depth of understanding of the issues addressed by the selected essay question.

All children aged between 12 and 18 years may enter the context.

Rules

Questions to choose from

1. If you could be a human genetics researcher, what would you study and why?

2. In what ways will knowledge of genetics and genomics make changes to health and health care in Europe possible?

Language

Mother tongue or English translation (done by the teacher)

Length

The essay is limited to 750 words.

Deadline

All essays must be received no later than April 30, 2008.

Submission

All essays must be submitted electronically via email to:

Please select the according question on page 4 of the form.

Scoring

Development/ statement of hypothesis 20 pts

Discussion of current knowledge in field 20 pts

Discussion of importance of research topic 20 pts

Prizes

First Place Winner: EUR 300.-

Teachers of first place students win EUR 1.000.- to organise a science project or to purchase classroom equipment.

Second Place Winner: EUR 200.-

Teachers of second place students win EUR 800.- to organise a science project or to purchase classroom equipment

Third Place Winner: EUR 100.-

Teachers of third place students win EUR 500.- to organise a science project or to purchase classroom equipment

Special Dates

April 25 DNA DAY

April 30 All essays must be submitted to the European Society of Human Genetics.

June 3 Essay contest winners will be announced at the European Human Genetics Conference in Barcelona

Personal Data

Student

Last name:

First name:

Grade:

Date of birth:

e-mail:

Teacher

Last name:

First name:

e-mail:

School

Name:

Address:

City:

Country:

Phone:

Please take care to fill in this form legibly and accurately.
Please check the question you chose to answer:

q / 1.  If you could be a human genetics researcher, what would you study and why?
q / 2.  In what ways will knowledge of genetics and genomics make changes to health and health care in Europe possible?

Please submit your essay in the space below.

Name of Student:

q Check this box to acknowledge that you have read the rules and the contest description.