All About STEM NEWS

May 18th 2021

TechFest’s STEM Next Essay Competition

This is an awesome opportunity! The good news is that our STEM Ambassador Hub and Regional CREST Support Organisation colleagues in Scotland are running it and as it’s virtual, our North West schools can get involved too!

TechFest is delighted to announce the launch of STEM Next – an essay competition exploring the future of STEM research.

– REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!!! –

The essay competition is open to all Y11, 12 & 13 pupils, and there is no limit to how many pupils can compete from each school. This is a solo project that will require independent research and writing. However, it is encouraged that participants get feedback from their peers or teachers before the final submission.

This competition has no subject pre-requisites and is not purely STEM based. Within each category there are a diverse range of potential essay topics, with something to suit every interest! In addition, more essay titles may be added prior to the competition launch so it’s worth keeping an eye on each category!

THERE ARE FIVE ESSAY CATEGORIES AVAILABLE:

1) Energy Transition (click to view I&Q sheet)

2) Applications of Mathematics (click to view I&Q sheet)

3) Medicine & Life Sciences (click to view I&Q sheet)

4) Technology & Computer Sciences (click to view I&Q sheet)

5) Food, Drink & Agriculture (click to view I&Q sheet)

Students may only submit an essay for one category. Essay parameters and requirements are included in the Information and Questions sheet for each category (see links above).

Each of the STEM Next essay categories have a first place prize of £200 worth of Amazon vouchers, and second place prize of £100 worth of Amazon vouchers and a third place prize of £50 worth of Amazon vouchers.

There is no rigid requirement for the structure and format of the essays, but good submissions will present clear arguments, a detailed reference list of sources, include illustrations (which could be graphs, plots, diagrams or pictures) and where possible provide some specific examples or cases. In addition, at least one external industry professional must be interviewed as part of the research for the essay.

Online tutorials and webinars (including guidance on essay writing, how to reference and networking seminars) will be available to competing students throughout the course of the competition.

The essays will be judged by a panel of experts from various fields and prizes will be awarded to the winning entries.

Taking part in this competition is a brilliant opportunity for students to add additional achievements to their UCAS applications. In addition, their essays will be eligible for CREST awards and guidance on how to achieve this award will be provided as part of the competition.

Students that wish to take part should register their interest no later than 02/06/21 by submitting the online form. Students who register will receive a starting pack with information to help them with their essay.

Click to register your interest and complete the form.
Deadline to register interest – 02/06/21

The deadline for essay submission is 01/09/21. The essays will be assessed by an esteemed panel of judges and the winning essays will be announced on 30/09/21.

– TECHFEST’S STEM NEXT ESSAY COMPETITION IMPORTANT DATES –

Deadline to register interest – 02/06/21

Deadline for essay submission – 01/09/21
(Don’t forget to submit the cover sheet)

Winning essays announced – 30/09/21

For any queries not answered here please contact: [email protected]

Please click here for information on how you can sponsor this project.

If you would like to become part of this project and be interviewed by a student, please filled out the online form here.

To find out more information or please contact [email protected]