New Zealand and Australian university students – win $1500 writing about science
NewScientist magazine are offering a science writing competition, closing September 21st, for New Zealand and Australian university students (undergraduate or postgraduate). The first three placed individuals win cash prizes of $1500, $750 and $250, respectively.*
Articles can be either,
- a short feature report, in third person, discussing a scientific breakthrough or issue
- an editorial piece, in first person, arguing your opinion on a current scientific issue
Full entry details are on their website. You’ll know to read the criteria closely, as all good students should… They’re asking for a high standard, as we’d like to see of science writing! Criteria include:
- Newsworthiness: timely work that adds to or encourages debate on current issues
- Depth and detail: of coverage of issues or discoveries, and the quality of science explanation involved
- Scientific accuracy: work is factually correct
- Impact: work makes a balanced and significant contribution to greater public understanding and appreciation of contemporary issues or developments in science
- Creativity in communicating concepts and ideas: work engenders interest by using creative and clear communication
- Appropriateness of content: material is pitched at the right level in terms of complexity and technical issues for the audience involved; and
- Adherence to ethical standards: work adheres to the highest standard of investigative journalism – including the MEAA Code of Ethics.
Get writing! Good luck to those who submit entries.
Footnotes
* Curiously they don’t say which currency!
Other articles on Code for life:
Banished from science writing. Words, that is.
Three kinds of knowledge about science and journalism
Writing a popular science book; links and writers’ warnings