A Call for Young Scientists to Show their Creativity! Submit your Entry for the 2013 DSTV Eutelsat Star Awards Today

The DStv Eutelsat Star Awards, which are a product of a partnership between Eutelsat and MultiChoice Africa, aim to stimulate interest in science and technology and to inspire innovative thinking among secondary and high school students across the continent.

The awards take the form of a competition open to 14-19 year-old students in 42 countries. Students are invited to write an essay or design a poster depicting how innovative use of satellite technology in the fields of communication, earth observation or navigation can propel Africa into the future.

Top entrants at the national level win prizes such as computers or tablets, and go forward to compete in the overall awards for the winning and runner up essay and poster prizes. The winning essay entrant wins a trip with a parent or guardian to Eutelsat in Paris and onwards to witness a live rocket launch. The best poster winner and their parent or guardian also win a trip to Eutelsat, including a visit to a satellite manufacturing facility. The runners-up in the overall awards win a trip for two to visit the MultiChoice Africa broadcast facilities and the South African Space Agency near Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Aim of the Awards
Through the amazing power and capabilities of satellites, the ability of scientists to make sense of our world and shape the future of human kind has increased in leaps and bounds. To explain a little: satellites have changed our perception of the Earth, helping us to realise that it is small, fragile and possibly unique world in the immensity of space, and as such it must be preserved. Satellites help us to learn more about our planet and to improve how we use its limited resources. They also revolutionize the way we travel and communicate.

The Star Awards aim to showcase innovative ideas on the application of satellite technology in Africa as well as to create awareness of satellite technology and its applications among African students. The award also aims to stimulate interest in science and technology among young people in schools across Africa.

Topic
Imagine you were allowed to use all the satellites in space. What would you do with them to benefit your community, your country or your continent? write an essay or design a poster elaborating on three priorities. Students are encouraged to consult with their science or technology teacher to increase the quality of their entries. Essays and posters can be written in English, Portuguese or French

Essay requirements
1200 to 1400 words (excluding bibliography).
Typed in Arial 12, 1.5 spacing or must be hand written, but clearly legible.
Pages to be numbered
Only hard copy entries will be accepted
Entries may include illustrations, graphics or diagrams
References (all sources consulted during the preparation of the entry)

Poster requirements
No bigger than A3 (42 x 29.7cm)
Only hard copy entries will be accepted

All poster entries must be accompanied by a typed or legible hand written summary containing the following headings:
•Title
•Summary of idea/concept
•References (all sources consulted during the preparation of the entry)

The Prizes
Winning posters and essays from each country will compete for the overall prizes:

Best overall essay:
A trip for two to Eutelsat in Paris and onwards to a rocket launch.

Best overall poster:
A trip for two to Eutelsat in Paris and a satellite construction facilities.

Runner up overall poster:
A trip for two to MultiChoice and the South African National Space Agency at Hartbeesthoek.

Runner essay award:
A trip for two to MultiChoice and the South African National Space Agency at Hartbeesthoek.

The schools attended by the four overall winners will also receive a DStv installation, including a dish, TV, decoder and free access to the DStv Education Bouquet.

The closing date
Entries close on the 19 September 2013 and no late entries will be considered.

For more information on the competition and its rules visit the DSTV Star Awards website

Photo Credit: Corbis Images