This competition is open to all 6th form students of both art and science in the Cambridge area. We are looking for people who are inspired by science, can see science from a different point of view, can challenge existing perceptions and can communicate complex scientific ideas visually and in writing.

• How do I enter?
  
  
• Entry Form
  
  
• There are two posters, the second of which you can see on reloading of this page. Download poster:
  gif 1 or gif 2 or tif 1 or tif 2
  
  
• Got a question?
  
  
• Judging the work
  
  
• Sponsors

There are 3 ways to enter:

1. Create a piece of artwork to depict any aspect of one of the three topics. You can use any medium, including textiles or modelling. If you make a fragile piece, please keep it small enough to be transported safely. Prizes will be awarded purely for artistic merit, but preference for the artist in residence placement will be given to the candidate who can best communicate the scientific aspects of the topics. This can lead to an 'artist in residence' placement.
or
2. Write an essay of approximately 1000 words on any of the topics. Your essay should focus predominantly on the scientific aspects of the topics: for example, it would be appropriate to touch on the social impact of neurodegenerative diseases, but it would be less appropriate to devote the whole of your essay to this aspect. This can lead to a 'summer science student' placement.
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3. Create a movie or game to illustrate any one of the topics. The project should be visually appealing and educational. This can lead to an 'artist in residence' placement.

Each category (not topic) will be judged individually

Fill in the application form (here).
You may also wish to let your teacher know.
The final application date is April 16th, 2007.

Any of the organisers would be delighted to talk with you about your project. Fill in the comments and questions section of the application form and we will get back to you.

The competition will be externally judged by distinguished artists and scientists. Normally, three winners will be chosen (one from each category) and cash prizes will be awarded; £100 for first place, £75 for second place and £50 for third place. You will be asked to attend a prize giving ceremony at the MRC and we will retain the artwork of the winning entries. If your art is also part of the requirements for your AS or A level course, you will have it returned to your school or college for marking. We will interview the winners and select people for the summer placements. These funded placements will be in a laboratory doing science or generating artwork to communicate science, and will last for 3-4 weeks each. The artwork could be used to explain ideas at international conferences, public understanding of science events, journal covers or book illustrations; there are many possibilities. We will retain the copyright on any images you produce during your placement but you will always be credited for your work.

We will select students from among the winners of the art, digital art/animation and essay competitions to spend between 3 and 4 weeks in the lab over the summer. There are three placements:

Artist in residence: You will spend the first couple of days talking to people in the lab about the different projects they are working on. We will then meet to discuss ideas and see which projects are good to follow up on. The artwork is generally done at home. You will produce concept pieces & then we meet again to discuss how the ideas are evolving and to fine tune the science. You take the projects to completion.

Digital artist/animation specialist : we envisage this placement working in much the same way as the artist in residence placement, although there is more scope to do some of the graphics work at a desk in the lab, if you wish. Here is a link for a digital art representation of what happens in cells (link). These types of representations are increasingly useful in understanding how we function at a molecular level.

Summer Science student: You will be given a structured project to answer a research question relevant to an on-going lab project. You will be shown the relevant techniques and support and supervision will be available throughout your placement. You will be expected to work full time, Monday-Friday, but it will be necessary to tailor the exact working hours to match those of your immediate supervisor. You will be encouraged to think independently and come up with your own ideas. Communicating the science well is a key feature of your project and the final day will include a presentation of your work that we hope you will present to your college and colleagues in the Autumn term.