DNA-DAY 2008
What’s so special about April 25? It’s DNA Day – initiated in 2003 to commemorate the completion of the Human Genome Project in April of that year, and the discovery of the DNA double helix fifty years earlier!

The European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG), would like you to join us in making DNA day a Europe-wide celebration of genetics and its promises. We have accepted the American Society of Human Genetics’ invitation to expand what has been a very successful initiative: the DNA Day Essay contest, now in its third year in the U.S. That contest is one of several ongoing initiatives to promote knowledge and understanding of genetics in secondary schools, where the teachers of today and the leaders of tomorrow can participate.

The ESHG is herewith presenting the

First Annual European DNA Day Essay Contest
for High School Students

Deadline: April 30, 2008
 

DESCRIPTION
The contest aims at challenging 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 between 12 and 18 years may enter the contest.

 
RULES
Choose from one of the following questions
  1. If you could be a human genetics researcher, what would you study and why?
     
  2. In what ways will knowledge of genetics and genomics make changes to health and health care in Europe possible?

Language
Preferrably English translation (done by the teacher, if necessary), alternatively mother tongue.

Length
The essay is limited to 750 words.

Deadline
All essays must be received no later than April 30, 2008.

Submission
All essays must be submitted electronically via email to: dnaday@eshg.org
together with a picture of the student.

Scoring
Development/ statement of hypothesis:   20 pts
Discussion of current knowledge in field:   20 pts
Discussion of implications of research topic:   20 pts

Prizes
First Place Winner: EUR 300.-
In addition, sponsoring teachers of first place students will receive EUR 1.000.- to organise a science project or to purchase classroom equipment.

Second Place Winner: EUR 200.-
In addition, sponsoring teachers of first place students will receive EUR 800.- to organise a science project or to purchase classroom equipment

Third Place Winner: EUR 100.-
In addition, sponsoring teachers of first place students will receive EUR 500.- to organise a science project or to purchase classroom equipment

Special Dates
April 25   DNA DAY
April 30   All essays must be submitted to the European Society of Human Genetics
June 3   Essay contest winners will be announced at the European Human Genetics Conference in Barcelona

 
DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM

The application form with guidelines can be downloaded here.

Please return the filled form together with a picture of the student by email to:

dnaday@eshg.org

 
RELATED DOWNLOADS and DOCUMENTATION

DNA Day Application Form

Information letter to Presidents of National Human Genetics Societies

A vision for the future of genomics research, Francis S. Collins et al.
Nature 422, 835-847 (24 April 2003)

James Watson and Francis Crick's classic paper that first describes the double helical structure of DNA
Nature 171, 737-738 (1953)
 

 

 

Updated March 4, 2008

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