Student Competition

IMAGINE THE FUTURE

In the footsteps of Arthur C. Clarke – the world famous British scientist and science fiction writer.

A competition has been announced by the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation in conjunction with the United Kingdom 's National Science Learning Centres. This will mark the 60 th anniversary of the publication of Sir Arthur's landmark paper describing the concept of communication satellites.

Competition entries are invited from students living in the U.K (with apologies to students everywhere else!). There are two age range categories – 14-16 (school years 10 and 11) and 16-18 (school years 12 and 13).

The prize will be a trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center for the winner of each category, plus a parent/responsible adult. Flights and hotel accommodation will be provided, plus a VIP visit to the center located at Cape Canaveral , Florida , as guests of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation.

Entrants are required to produce a five-minute presentation, which can be in written or electronic format, on the following subject:

Today, we all take for granted the services provided by satellites – such as television, weather forecasts, GPS navigation, and land and oceanic mapping. The challenge now is – What Next???

Explain the impact, today and in the future, resulting from Arthur C. Clarke's 1945 concept paper on geosynchronous satellites

The presentation

This may take the form of

• an essay
• short film
• mock documentary
• mock-up newspaper report
• filmed TV debate
• Powerpoint presentation, or
• anything which can easily be delivered in hard copy or electronic format.

Presentation will be as important as content.

Judging

Judges will be looking for

• a good basic understanding of the subject
• an understanding of the scientific principles underlying satellites in geosynchronous orbit
• a brief resume of what this technology has achieved to date
• imaginative flair in predicting future applications using current and projected technologies
• above all, clarity and the ability to communicate the excitement and practical uses based on the scientific theory.

Closing date for entries is 15th December 2005. Winners will be announced in February 2006, with prizes to be taken during Easter vacation 2006.

Please print out this entry form and submit it with your presentation

To help stimulate your imagination here is a short list of Sir Arthur's and others publications

The Foundation thanks BBC Focus for its support of the Essay Competition