FAQs

• What makes this competition different to all of the others that are already out there?
  The National Science Competition is an over-arching and inclusive competition that covers all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths. There are many different science competitions already, but they tend to be specific to one scheme or subject area. The National Science Competition will welcome almost all entries into other existing competitions - it is deliberately broad in the subjects it covers and in its entry criteria to ensure that as many young people as possible can be included.
• When will the winners be announced?
  The UK Young Scientist of the Year and the UK Young Technologist of the Year will be decided at the Big Bang (the UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair) on 5th March 2009 and announced at an awards ceremony that day.
• What are the prizes?
  There will be an amazing package of prizes for our winners based on the prizes that young people tell us they'd find really exciting. The two winners will each receive a personal cheque for £5000, a once in a lifetime science or technology trip (the winners can choose between an international conservation expedition with Earthwatch Europe or a visit to NASA Space Centres in Florida and Houston with the International Space School Educational Trust, opportunities to represent the UK at fairs and events, a trophy and a certificate. Winning this competition will be a truly unforgettable experience! All runners-up and highly commended entrants will also receive certificates, medals and some must-have gadgets.
• Why have you chosen an age range of 13-19?
  In the first year of the National Science Competition we wanted to be as inclusive as possible in a single age range. In future years the age ranges may be subdivided and in this first year consideration will be given to the age and ability of the contestants in the judging process.
• How will you judge the best from all of the entries?
  The judging process is designed to be rigorous and transparent. The judges come from a range of scientific and engineering backgrounds and will be looking for evidence of an outstanding achievement taking into account the age and abilities of the entrant. In the final stages of judging, the communication abilities of the entrants will be carefully assessed, as the UK Young Scientist and Young Technologist of the Year will act as ambassadors for science and technology.

Eligibility

• Are activities completed in science or technology clubs eligible?
  Yes, but remember that entrants come into the competition as individuals and it is the individual and not the project that will enter the competition. If the entrant is one of a team that completed a project, the judges will be looking for that individual's contribution to the project.
• Am I eligible to enter?
  Please click here to view the "Am I eligible" page of our website. If you are still unclear, contact info@nationalsciencecompetition.org.
• Is my activity or project suitable for the competition?
  Please click here to view the "Example Projects" page of our website. If you are still unclear, contact info@nationalsciencecompetition.org.

Entering

• When is the deadline for entries?
  The deadline for entries is Friday 28 November 2008.
• How do I enter?
  Please view the Entry form page of our website.
• My computer crashed before I finished my online entry. What do I do?
  Make sure that you have all of your information ready before you start the online form. When you press "submit" your information is safe, but if you lose connection before then, we will not have received your information.
• I submitted an online entry but didn't receive a confirmation email from you
  Please contact us on info@nationalsciencecompetition.org as your entry form may not have been received.

Judging

• How will the entries be judged?
  There are three rounds of judging to select the final two winners. Firstly, all of the entries will be judged by a panel of experts, and the selection will be invited to showcase their activities or projects at the UK Young Scientists' and Engineers' Fair between 4th and 6th March 2009. On the first day of the Fair, all of the entrants will be judged with their displays and 20 semi-finalists will be chosen to go into the next round. The semi-finalists will have an opportunity to discuss their work in an informal setting with some young researchers and scientists. The six finalists will then be selected to meet a panel of celebrity judges who will select the final two winners.
• Who are the judges?
  The judges are all experts from the world of science, technology, engineering and maths. The final panel will comprise some world class scientists and engineers and their names will be placed on this website nearer the time.