 |
||||
 |
||||
|
Motivate Your Students to Excel in
Science & Technology Writing!
Dear Teacher: We are pleased to announce to you and your students The DuPont Challenge© 2009 Science Essay Competition, one of the foremost student science and technology prize programs in the United States and Canada. Now entering its 23rd year, The DuPont Challenge© has two primary objectives: to help increase scientific literacy among students and to motivate students to excel in communicating scientific ideas. The DuPont Challenge© offers students an opportunity to write a 700-1000-word essay discussing a scientific discovery, theory, event, or technological application that has captured their interest. As the “Choosing Your Topic” section on page 3 indicates, the range of possible essay topics is as broad as science itself. A point to stress is that the students’ topics must show how they are relevant to their lives and the lives of others. Indicate to students the importance of adhering in their writing to correct rules of grammar, syntax, and mechanics, and of proofreading and revising their work. Essays will be judged based on the following rubric categories, and each is weighted according to the percentages in parentheses:
The support that you give your students is the key to their success, and to the success of The DuPont Challenge© Science Essay Competition. DuPont is pleased to recognize the unique contributions made by the sponsoring science teachers. Each sponsoring teacher of a First Place winner will receive:
Sponsoring science teachers of the four finalists in each division receive a $250 Educational Award. DuPont feels that teachers who motivate their students to excel nationally through The DuPont Challenge© deserve recognition too! How Students Apply After you have introduced The DuPont Challenge© to your students, we suggest that you lead the class in a brainstorming session to list as many topics and issues in science as possible. You may also want to set up a schedule for students, giving a week-by-week or day-by-day checklist for having an idea approved by you, writing a first draft, revising, and preparing a final draft. We suggest that you review all student essays before they are presented for final submission. All student essays must meet the requirements and follow the competition rules on page 9.
|
||||
