September 2009 Annual Science Essay Competition for Schools Launched by NUI Galway

Data protection and DNA is the theme for the 2009 Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) Annual Science Essay Competition. Now in its fifth year, the competition, which is co-sponsored by REMEDI and the NUI Galway College of Science, is open to all students in the senior cycle of secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 30 October, 2009. Entries should be no longer than 1000 words exploring the theme 'Are people's DNA sequences their business and nobody else's?'. Winner and runner-up prizes include a laptop, video iPod, crystal trophies and science equipment bursaries for the students' school. For competition rules and entry forms please visit www.remedi.ie/education. REMEDI's Annual Science Essay Competition was launched in 2005 to stimulate discussion among students on the ethical and societal implications of advances in biomedical research. The aim is to generate interest in science among second-level students and encourage more to go on to study science at third-level. REMEDI is an SFI-funded research institute at the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science located at NUI Galway. Professor Frank Barry, Scientific Director of REMEDI and Director of the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, said: "This competition is a worthwhile outreach initiative which exemplifies the successful promotion of science by NUI Galway. It also fits with the Irish government's 'Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation' approach to developing an economy fuelled by research and development. Effective science communication, as demonstrated in this essay competition, has a vital role in building relationships between young people, schools and the scientific community". Last year's competition generated a great deal of interest in science and bioethical issues among students with over 120 entries from 16 counties. The winner was Daniel O'Reilly from Castleblayney College, Co. Monaghan, with Bobby Tang of The Royal Belfast Academical Institution taking the runner-up prize. -ends-