Prizes 2011-12
All finalists in the National Science & Engineering Competition who attend The Big Bang Fair will receive a personalised certificate and a goody bag in recognition of their achievements.
Once the judging has been completed, there are many prizes available to the lucky Competition winners. These fall into four distinct groups:
• Core prizes – these are the main Competition prizes and the therefore the most sought after. They are all sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
• Disciplinary prizes – these are additional prizes sponsored by institutions or organisations with specific areas of interest.
• Lead sponsor prizes – these are additional prizes sponsored by the lead sponsors of The Big Bang Fair.
• Special prizes – these are additional prizes which are sponsored by organisations associated with the National Science & Engineering Competition.
Core Prizes
These are the major prizes in the National Science & Engineering Competition and they are all sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
We will award prizes to six winners, six runners-up and 18 highly commended projects, separated by stream and age category, as shown below:
|
Science/Maths |
Engineering/Technology |
|
|
Junior |
1 winner |
1 winner |
|
Intermediate |
1 winner |
1 winner |
|
Senior |
UK Young Scientist(s) of the Year |
UK Young Engineer(s) of the Year |
Junior Category prizes (for both the Science/Maths and Engineering/Technology streams):
- winners: £1000, a trophy and a certificate
- runners-up: £300, a silver medal and a certificate
- highly commended: £100, a bronze medal and a certificate
Intermediate Category prizes (for both the Science/Maths and Engineering/Technology streams):
- winners: £1500, a trophy and a certificate
- runners-up: £500, a silver medal and a certificate
- highly commended: £125, a bronze medal and a certificate
Senior Category prizes (for both the Science/Maths and Engineering/Technology streams):
- winners: title "UK Young Scientist(s) of the Year" or "UK Young Engineer(s) of the Year" as appropriate, £2000, a trophy, a certificate and an experience prize (usually a choice between a trip to the NASA bases with ISSET or the winners' choice of an Earthwatch conservation expedition for individuals; team experiences will vary depending on team size)
- runners-up: £700, a silver medal and a certificate
- highly commended: £150, a bronze medal and a certificate
Please note that the cash prize given to teams should be divided equally among the team members.
Disciplinary Prizes
In addition to the core prizes, a number of sponsors support specific disciplinary prizes for the National Science & Engineering Competition. We are in the process of confirming the disciplinary prizes for the 2011-12 round of the Competition and more will be added shortly. Keep checking back!
Google Trailblazer Prize for Technology 2012
Google will award two prizes for the best projects on technology and computer science. Google’s judges will be looking for projects that show innovation and a focus on the user. As well as receiving £500 and a certificate, each of the two lucky winners (plus a guardian if necessary) will have the opportunity to spend two days at a Google research site in Europe where they will be able to take part in tours, workshops and get involved in some hands-on work!
The Institute of Physics Prize 2012
The Institute of Physics will award a prize to the student(s) with the best physics project. As well as receiving £500 and a certificate, the winner will be invited to one of the UK’s leading physics research sites where they will meet professional scientists and receive a tour of the facilities.
Royal Academy of Engineering Prize 2012
The Royal Academy of Engineering will award a prize to the student(s) with the best engineering project. As well as receiving £500 and a certificate, the winner will be invited to meet some of the UK’s leading engineers via a visit to a cutting edge engineering, business or research centre.
Research Councils UK Prize for the Best Use of Research
This prize will be awarded to the team or individual in the senior age category who has most impressed the judges with the excellence of their research techniques and best use of research. The winner will receive £500, a certificate and an experience prize, which will be a behind-the-scenes visit to one of Research Council UK’s prestigious research laboratories.
Research Councils UK will also invite the winners of the UK Young Scientist of the Year 2011 and UK Young Engineer of the Year 2011 to visit one of their prestigious research sites.
Society of Biology Prize
The Society of Biology will award a prize to the student(s) with the best project in the biological sciences. As well as receiving £500, a certificate and a year’s membership to the Society of Biology, the winner will be invited to visit one of the UK’s leading research centres on biology and meet some cutting edge researchers.
E.ON UK Prize for Best use of Maths 2012
Tony Cocker, CEO E.ON UK will present this prize to the project that shows the most advanced use of mathematics. As well as receiving £500 and a certificate, the winner will be invited to meet some of the mathematicians that work for E.ON right across their business from generating energy to selling it to customers.
Lead Sponsor Prizes
The lead sponsors of The Big Bang Fair each offer a prize to one project in the National Science & Engineering Competition finals. We are still confirming the sponsors and the prizes for the 2011-12 round and details of the prizes will be added as they are confirmed. Check back soon!
International Prizes
EU Contest for Young Scientists: places sponsored by the Nuffield Foundation
The prize allows up to 3 individuals from the Senior and Intermediate age categories of the National Science & Engineering Competition to attend this leading European Science Fair representing the UK. The 24th European Union Contest for Young Scientists will be held in Bratislava this September and includes a full programme of judging, showcasing, cultural trips and social activities that the winners will remember for a lifetime. This prize is supported by the Nuffield Foundation and the EU Commission.
Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
Two National Science & Engineering Competition finalists will be nominated to attend this international fair, held each year in the USA. An international fair similar to The Big Bang Fair, the competitors will represent the United Kingom and compete for some incredible prizes.
The Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar: Saudi Aramco Place
One National Science & Engineering Competition finalist at Senior level in the natural sciences category will be selected to attend this prestigious invite-only event in Stockholm in December 2012 - with all expenses paid. They will have the opportunity to attend lectures by Nobel Prize winners and to visit research centres of international renown, alongside other young scientists from all over the world.
The London International Youth Science Forum: London International Youth Science Forum Place
LIYSF is a two week residential forum that attracts over 300 of the world's leading young scientists, aged 17-21 years old, from more than 50 participating countries, including top winners at international events. Two winners from the National Science & Engineering Competition at The Big Bang will be chosen to represent the UK.
Special Prizes
The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 have sponsored the 2012 Design Prize to the project that has best displayed Innovation, Style, Sustainability and an understanding of Through Life Cost. The lucky winner will receive £500 and a certificate, plus a unique experience trip on the theme of design.
Teacher Prize
The National Science & Engineering Competition is proud to announce The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust Teachers Award is taking nominations for the 2012 prize.
This prize is open to any UK teacher (full-time/part-time, specialist advisor, AST etc) who teaches or supports Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) lessons in and out of school/college from primary to top end secondary. The nominee’s should not have science/technology outreach as their primary role, as we wish to recognise those that undertake enrichment and engagement activities in addition to their regular teaching load, and to celebrate their impact on young people.
Click here for more information.
Date Published: February 07, 2012