ANNEX A
GMAC Students Challenge 2013
INTRODUCTION
1
The Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) is a multi-agency national
committee established under the purview of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Among other
things, GMAC is committed to its task in objectively imparting scientifically-sound information
on gene modification (GM) technology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to the
public.
2
As part of its ongoing public education efforts, GMAC is organizing the GMAC
Students Challenge 2013. Participants of this year’s competition will be tasked to create
educational video clips based on the theme of “The Future: Possibilities and Limitations
of GM Technology”.
3
Through the competition, GMAC aims to promote active learning and to stimulate
students’ interest in science-based GM-related topics. We invite students from all secondary
schools in Singapore to participate in the GMAC Students Challenge 2013.
THE TASK
4
The 2013 student participants face the following task:
Genetic modification (GM) technology has been around for decades. Supporters of
this technology are of the view that it has great potential to solve many of the world’s
most pressing problems, such as hunger and a lack of affordable medicine.
Opponents claim that GM technology will have adverse effects on human health and
the environment. It has long been a contentious issue debated by many parties; a
consensus seems unlikely in the near future.
You and your production team are tasked to produce a documentary about the
possibilities and limitations of GM technology. You have the responsibility to portray
an objective view of the subject matter which is able to capture the viewers’ attention
on the technology’s benefits and shortcomings. Viewers should be able to leave your
documentary screening with a clearer idea of the potential of GM technology, yet also
informed of its limitations.
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THE RULES
Competition Categories
5
The GMAC Students Challenge 2013 will be conducted in two categories catering
separately for students at the:
i)
Lower Secondary (Secondary 1 or 2 or equivalent); and
ii)
Upper Secondary (Secondary 3 or 4 or 5 or equivalent) levels.
6
Unless otherwise stated, the same rules apply for participants of the Lower
Secondary and Upper Secondary categories of the competition.
Number of Students Representatives per Group
7
Within each of the two competition categories, participants will form groups of five.
Each school is to send in only one group per competition category.
Theme of Competition
8
The theme of the competition, for both Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary
categories, is “The Future: Possibilities and Limitations of GM Technology”.
Length and Format of Video Clip Submissions
9
Each group of five students will create one video clip. The length of each video clip is
to be approximately 7 - 10 minutes.
10
The videos are to take the form of a documentary. It is compulsory for each video
to include a component that introduces the basics of GM technology.
11
The finer details on the format of video entries would be provided to schools on
confirmation of registration requests. GMAC would impose minimal restrictions and allow
participants greatest room for creativity in creating their videos.
Deadline for Submission of Entries
12
Participants are to submit their entries by 05 Jul 2013, after the June holidays.
Further instructions on how to submit the entries would be provided on confirmation of
registration requests.
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SHORTLISTING & JUDGING OF SUBMITTED ENTRIES
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All entries will go through a preliminary round of selection by members of the GMAC
Subcommittee on Public Awareness. The selection criteria are as follows:
Criteria (1st Round Selection)
Objectivity & scientific accuracy of presented
information
Entertainment and creative aesthetic appeal
(ability to engage and interest a layman audience)
Relevance to theme
(Degree at which the contents have adhered to theme)
Weightage
60%
25%
15%
14
Creators of shortlisted entries would be required to attend a Video Screening
Session, tentatively scheduled on 31 Aug 2013. The shortlisted entries would be screened
during this session, and subjected to the final round of judging based on the following
criteria:
Criteria (Final Judging)
Objectivity & scientific accuracy of presented
information
Entertainment and creative aesthetic appeal
(ability to engage and interest a layman audience)
Relevance to theme
(Degree at which the contents have adhered to theme)
Public Votes
(Online voting on Facebook & Live Voting at Screening
Session)
Weightage
60%
25%
10%
5%
PRIZES
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The best teams for each of the two competition categories will be awarded as
follows:
First Prize - S$ 1,200 in cash vouchers (to be shared among group members)
Second Prize - S$ 800 in cash vouchers (to be shared among group members)
Third Prize - S$ 400 in cash vouchers (to be shared among group members)
16
While it is compulsory for creators of shortlisted entries to be present at the Video
Screening Session tentatively scheduled on 31 Aug 2013, all other participants are strongly
encouraged to also attend. Certificates will be presented to all participants during the Video
Screening Session.
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REGISTRATION DEADLINE AND QUOTA
17
Students interested in participating in the GMAC Students Challenge 2013 should
register through their schools.
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The registration details appear as Annex C. While the official deadline for
registration is 10 May 2013, we recommend that schools submit their registration
requests at their earliest possible convenience. Registrations will be accepted on a
first-come-first-serve basis.
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE
19
The important dates to note are summarized below:
Issued by GMAC
For all enquiries, please contact:
Ms Nurshidah
GMAC Secretariat
Tel:
6407 - 0539
Fax: 6795 - 5073
Email: [email protected]
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