DuPont contest seeks entries

Staff report

Wilmington, del.

Recognized at the first White House Science Fair as one of the nation’s leading science and technology competitions, The DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition, in its 25th year, is seeking entries.

The DuPont Challenge, created to honor the memory of the heroes of the 1986 Challenger space shuttle, is true to the flight’s educational mission – to “touch the future.” The competition celebrates 25 years of inspiring students to excel and achieve in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“Advances in science are critical to the success of DuPont and the nation as a whole,” said Ellen Kullman, DuPont chair and CEO. “We believe that STEM education strengthens our ability to meet an ever-increasing need to inspire students of today to be the scientists, explorers and inventors of tomorrow.”

The Challenger crew members included Ellison S. Onizuka, Greg Jarvis, Judy Resnik, Michael J. Smith, Dick Scobee, Ron McNair and Christa McAuliffe, America’s first teacher in space.

All students in grades seven through 12 across the United States and Canada may submit their essay entries by Jan. 31.

Essays are evaluated in two divisions: Junior Division (grades seven through nine) and Senior Division (grades 10 through 12). The competition attracted more than 10,000 entries in 2010 and since its inception, more than 150,000 entries have been received.

For more information about The DuPont Challenge 2011 Science Essay Competition, students and teachers should visit www.thechallenge.dupont.com. The contest is sponsored by DuPont in collaboration with The Walt Disney World Æ Resort, NASA, National Science Teachers Association and A+ Media.

The DuPont Challenge gives students the opportunity to write a 700 to 1,000-word essay discussing a scientific discovery, theory, event or technological application that has captured their interest.

The range of possible essay topics is as broad as science itself. Essays are judged based on ideas and content; mechanics and conventions; organization; style and creativity; and originality.