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Essay contest for middle to high school kids

The announcement for this contest was in my e-mail box this morning. I'd encourage any kids with HPS or albinism (or siblings) to try for it. I bet your personal experience would make for a great essay. Pass this along to any middle or high school kids you know.


DNA Day Essay Contest

Third Annual National DNA Day Essay Contestfor Middle and High School Students Sponsored by: Amercian Society of Human Genetics


Deadline is March 17, 2008

The contest aims to challenge students to examine, question and reflect on the importance and social implications of genetic research. Essays are expected to contain substantive, well-reasoned arguments indicative of a depth of understanding of the issues addressed by the selected essay question. All students, grades 7-12, are eligible. We appreciate and carefully review each entry. All essays must be received no later than 5PM EST on March 17, 2008. ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE ELECTRONIC (Submission Form for Middle School Question #1; Submission Form for Middle School Question #2; Submission Form for High School Question #1; Submission Form for High School Question #2)If you are interested in reading last year's winning entries, click here. Indeed more than 200 judges are employed to screen and score each essay. We thank members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Genetics Society of America for volunteering to serve in this capacity. Students may choose to address either of the following questions for their appropriate grade level in their essay. A first, second and third place winner will be chosen for each question. ALL ESSAYS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY. Just click on the question that you are answering and you will be IMMEDIATELY directed to the submission form. EASY!

For Contest Rules, Click Here.

MIDDLE SCHOOL (7th & 8th Graders):
Why is it important for us to discover the patterns of genotypic and phenotypic similarity and difference in living things and why should we understand the theories that describe the importance of genetic diversity for species and ecosystems? Click here to see the scoring rubric for this question.

Why is it important for us to learn about our family health history? What can our family health/medical history tell us? What doesn't it tell us? Click here to see the scoring rubric for this question.

HIGH SCHOOL (9th through 12th Graders):
Discuss the practical implications that genetics research is playing in our lives today. Discuss where it might lead us in the next 10 years. Click here to see the scoring rubric for this question.

If you could be a human genetics researcher, what would you study and why? Click here to see the scoring rubric for this question.

First Place Winners: $350.00Teachers of first place students win $2,000 to purchase classroom equipment!Second Place Winners: $250.00Third Place Winners: $150.00

Middle School Students Click Here to Submit an Essay for
Question #1 or Question #2 High School Students Click Here to Submit an Essay for Question #1 or Question #2
Rules
Special Dates:
March 17, 2008
All essays must be submitted by 5:00 PM EST.
April 25, 2008
Essay Contest Winners will be announced at 3:00 PM during the DNA Day Online Chat (http://www.genome.gov/DNADay) and on the ASHG website (www.genednet.org).


Questions? Contact GenEdNet
Katie Van Horne
Education Programs Associate
(301) 634-7326
genednet@ashg.org
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