ELIGIBILITY: Discovery Education's "YOUNG SCIENTIST CHALLENGE: TEACHER EDITION" ("Contest") is open to all legal U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older who are teachers who are members of the Discovery Educator Network. In addition, in order to be considered eligible, teachers must comply with the safety guidelines set forth below ("Safety Guidelines"). Employees, officers and directors of Discovery Education (the "Sponsor"), its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising agencies, promotional suppliers, and Faraday Studios (the "Judges"), their immediate family members (spouse, siblings, and children, regardless of where they live) or members of the same households (whether related or not) of such employees, officers and directors are not eligible. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited.
CONTEST PERIOD: The Contest period commences on March 1, 2008 and expires at 7:59 PM EST on June 15, 2008.
BRIEF CONTEST DESCRIPTION: Eligible teachers shall have the opportunity to create a video that communicates one of the scientific concepts outlined in Section 5 below. For a teacher to officially enter the Contest, the teacher must be registered as described below and his/her video must be uploaded between March 1, 2008 and 8:00 PM EST on June 15, 2008. Limit one entry per teacher. Five (5) teachers with the highest scores will be considered the finalists, and will compete for the title of "DEN's Science Teacher of the Year" (described below).
TO REGISTER AND ENTER: Starting on March 1, 2008, visit www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist click on the Contest banner, tile or link and follow the on-screen directions to electronically sign the release and consent form (the "Consent Form"). The Consent Form must be electronically submitted, in accordance with the directions found in the form. Then complete the on-line entry forms by entering the requested information ("Entry Form"). Then submit this information in accordance with the on-screen instructions by no later than 7:30 P.M. ET on June 15, 2008, which includes without limitation, the teacher's full name, home address, home phone, email address, gender, teaching grade, school information and local media information. Once the teacher submits the Entry Form by clicking send, the teacher will be prompted to set up a username and password. Username and password confirmation will be sent to the teacher at the email provided in the Entry Form. The teacher shall use his/her username and password in order to submit his/her video.
SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS
Each teacher must select one (1) of the following scientific concepts (each a "Scientific Concept" and collectively ("Scientific Concepts"):
(a) Newton's Laws of Motion: Just the term sounds a bit formidable to non-physics majors. Using common language, modest equipment and a creative methodology, produce a short, non-threatening video introducing one of Newton's Laws of motion. Your choice!
(b) Acceleration: What in the world is that? Is that something I can do? Create a video demonstrating the concept of acceleration.
(c)The first A in NASA: Aeronautics: Many earth/space and physical science curricula incorporate student construction of a model or paper airplane, rocket, or other flying contraption to learn about the forces involved in flight. It is rare to find one that works reliably. Demonstrate your best example: a student made "flying" device that is inexpensive, safe, reliable, and satisfying.
(d) Centrifugal and Centripetal Force: What are they and what's the difference? They sound a bit alike. Are they the same thing? Create a video demonstrating or explaining either.... or both.
(e) Scope and Scale: When working in a earth/space science curriculum, large numbers are often encountered. Demonstrate a novel or engaging classroom method for scaling large numbers, great distances, or massive quantities.
VIDEO SUBMISSION
To enter, a teacher must submit one, and only one, entry video explaining and/or demonstrating one of the Scientific Concepts listed above in Section 5 (the "Entry Video").
The Entry Video must be longer than 60 seconds, but not longer than 120 seconds. The Entry Video must be the original work of the teacher. Only the teacher can appear in the Entry Video, no other individuals should be filmed. Teachers must work independently on the development of their video concept and must record their video with minimal help or direction from others. Entries WILL NOT be accepted which include other individuals' work.
To upload the Entry Video, the teacher must visit, during the Contest Period, www. discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist and login by using his/her username and password to enter the upload page. At the upload page the teacher will be prompted to upload their Entry Video. Then the teacher will be prompted, if desired, to provide a photograph and brief biographical information. Entry Videos must be submitted as a Quicktime/MOV, WMV, MPEG, or AVI file on the Contest upload page. Completed Entry Videos must be received between March 1, 2008 and 8 PM EST on June 15, 2008. No entries will be accepted before or after such period.
Entry Video may not defame or invade the privacy or publicity rights of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon a person's personal or proprietary rights. No copyrighted material may be used in an entry video without proper permission from, and acknowledgement of, the copyright owner. Submissions that are deemed by the Judges in their sole discretion to be immoral, obscene, profane or not in keeping with Sponsor's image will be disqualified. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time which, in the Sponsor's reasonable opinion, endangers the safety or well being of any person or in the event it is determined that the entrant has not complied with these Official Rules, including without limitation the Safety Guidelines below. In addition to the Sponsors' right to do so at its discretion, the Judges will also be instructed to disqualify any entry that describes dangerous conduct, stunts or tricks, conduct that could lead to physical injury, property damage or otherwise violates or is inconsistent with these Official Rules. Entries may not be acknowledged or returned.
Participation in the Contest constitutes the teacher's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules, including the Consent Form and Safety Guidelines. By entering the Contest, the teacher warrants that the teacher's Entry Video is an original creation of the teacher's; has not been previously published or won any award; and that teacher is aware of no conflicting rights in the submission or claims to the submission, including but not limited to copyright or other intellectual property right.
JUDGING: There a two (2) rounds of judging:
Round 1: Judges will score each Entry Video. Teachers will be scored on their ability to understand and effectively communicate the Scientific Concept they have chosen for their Entry Video. Each Scientific Concept shall be treated equally. Scores will be broken down in to 5 areas:
The Judges will select five (5) finalists. The five (5) teachers with the highest scores (according to this rubric) will be considered a finalist. The 5 finalists will be announced in or around August 2008. In the event of any ties, the overall presentation score will be used as a tiebreaker.
Round 2: On or about October 4 – 7, 2008, the 5 finalists will compete individually and in teams on a series of individual and team challenges, some of them in front of a live audience at a Washington, DC location to be determined by Sponsor. These challenges are developed and administered by head Judge, Steve Jacobs, science educator, creator of "Jake's Attic" and founder of Faraday Studios. The finalists will be judged on their communication and scientific problem solving skills. Sponsor will not disclose the topics, challenges and judging criteria until October 4, 2008 or until the finals competition commences. The teacher who scores the highest score according to the judging criteria will receive the title of "DEN's Science Teacher of the Year".
All Judges' decisions are final.
PRIZES:
Each finalist will receive the following: 4 day / 3 night hotel accommodations for the finalist (one standard room of double occupancy) in Washington, DC on or about October 4 – 7, 2008 to compete in the Contest finals for the title of "DEN's Science Teacher of the Year". The finalist prize also includes roundtrip airfare for the finalist from a major airport nearest the finalist home (airport and airlines selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion), ground transportation to and from the airport and to and from the Contest, select events/sightseeing and meals. Meals shall consist of 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners [Approximately retail value ("ARV") $1,515.00]. Gratuities and incidental expenses not included. Actual value will vary depending upon point of departure and other contingencies. Any differences between actual costs and ARV will not be awarded. If finalist resides within a 100-mile radius of Washington, DC, Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to provide ground transportation in lieu of air transportation and no compensation or substitution will be provided for difference in prize value.
In addition each finalist will receive a medal, special finalist apparel (ARV $20.00) and the opportunity to compete for additional prizes during the Contest. Such prizes shall be announced at the Contest, if not earlier at Sponsor's discretion.
At the end of Round 2 (as described above) the finalist with the highest score will be given the title of "DEN's Science Teacher of the Year".
The finalists will be notified by email or by telephone (as provided on the Entry Form) and will be sent a claim form, which the finalist will be required to sign and return to Sponsor. In addition, each finalist will be sent an affidavit/documentation of eligibility and liability release, a federal and state tax release (if applicable), and a (where legal) publicity release. Finalist will be required to complete and return the aforementioned documents within 10 days of issuance of these documents to claim the finalist prize. Failure to complete and return the properly signed affidavit and releases or other prize documentation in a timely fashion, or if a finalist chooses to decline a prize for any reason, or fails to comply with any requirement of these Official Rules, may result in the prize being forfeited. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable, or inability of Sponsor to contact finalist(s), may result in disqualification.
All taxes on prize and all expenses related to acceptance and use of the prize not specified are the sole responsibility of finalist/winner. By participating, entrants agree: [a] to these rules and decisions of Sponsor and Judges, which shall be final in all respects relating to the Contest; and [b] to release, discharge and hold harmless Sponsor from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind resulting from their participating in the Contest or their acceptance, use or misuse of a prize including, without limitation, personal injury, death and property damage, and claims based on publicity rights, copyright, trademark, defamation or invasion of privacy. Based on releases/affidavits and the details of the Consent Form provided, entrants agree to grant Sponsor: [a] all rights of ownership, reproduction and use of entry and Entry Video for any purpose whatsoever without compensation or further permission, including but not limited to an irrevocable and perpetual, royalty-fee, worldwide right, in all media (now known or later developed) to assign, use, publish, edit, adapt, modify, alter, reproduce, distribute, broadcast, display, copyright, create derivative works or otherwise exploit entries, for commercial or non-commercial use; and if a winner, [b] to permit Sponsor to use his or her name, photograph, likeness, Video Entry, biographical information, voice, voice likeness, and city and state address for advertising, publicity and promotional purposes in all media, including but not limited to within Sponsor's websites in perpetuity, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) and agree to execute specific consent to such use upon request. Sponsor is not responsible for and shall not be liable for: [a] electronic, hardware or software program, network, Internet or computer malfunctions, failures, or difficulties of any kind, including without limitation, server malfunction or by any human error which may occur in the processing of entries; [b] failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions; [c] late, lost, misdirected or incomplete entries ; or [d] any condition caused by events beyond the control of the Sponsor that may cause the Contest to be disrupted or corrupted. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest or any portion thereof should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond the control of Sponsor corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Contest, and limit entries to those submitted prior to the action taken, or to proceed in such a manner as may be deemed fair and equitable by Sponsor in its sole discretion and to award the prize from all eligible entries received prior to such action taking place. No prize transfer or cash redemption. No prize substitution, in whole or in part, except by Sponsor due to prize unavailability, safety or security considerations, or any other reason as solely determined by Sponsor in which case a prize of comparable or greater value will be awarded. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROMOTION MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Internet entry must be made at the authorized web site address of www.discoveryeducation.com/youngscientist. Entries may not be made by any other individual or any entity, and/or originating at any other Internet website or e-mail address, including but not limited to commercial contest and sweepstakes subscription notification and/or entering service sites. Any person who enters by any of the methods described above will be disqualified. Use of any device to automate entry is prohibited. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time in the event it is determined that the entrant has not complied with these Official Rules. This Contest is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, with jurisdiction and venue in Montgomery County, Maryland, and all claims must be resolved in the courts of Montgomery County, Maryland.
WINNERS LIST: To receive the winner's name, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be received by December 31, 2008, to: Teacher Challenge Winner List, One Discovery Place, HG05 – 08K, Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
Sponsor: Discovery Education, Inc, One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
©2008 Discovery Education, Inc. Printed in USA. All rights reserved.
The guidelines are for your general knowledge and are not a substitute for professional advice or common sense. Be sure to thoroughly research your scientific concept prior to performing your project.
1. Research the scientific concept thoroughly to understand any dangers involved in your demonstrations.
2. You cannot use (i) human blood/body fluids, (ii) animals, (iii) live ammunition, firearms, or explosives, (iv) poisonous plants, or (v) radioactive material.
3. Parts of the body are not to be placed in danger. Do not directly view the sun, infrared, or ultraviolet sources.
4. Do not taste any non food substance or food substance that has been subjected to possible contamination.
5. Dress safely for your presentation (e.g., gloves, eye protection, an apron, ear protection, safety shield, etc.).
6. Keep quantities of hazardous materials to a minimum, and always have waste containers for the disposal of such materials.
7. Comply with all local fire and safety rules and regulations; Use caution when heating all forms of matter; always have a fire extinguisher available.
8. Thoroughly check all motors to make sure all parts are sturdy and that safety nuts are securely fastened.
9. Always check to see if certain elements of your demonstration require you to obtain state and/or local permits. Always obtain the necessary permits prior to conducting your demonstration.
10. Always practice your demonstration before filming.
We strongly recommend that you review the safety guidelines established by the National Science Teachers Association at http://www.nsta.org/pdfs/SafetyGuidelines.pdf.