Science challenge
Launching for the first time on Monday 6 February is the Imperial College Science Challenge. This is your chance to be part of a new competition that aims to stimulate innovation and creative scientific thinking. What's more, there's a £1000 first prize to play for.
Open to all Imperial students, entrants can compete as individuals or in teams to find an answer to the question, "How will science allow for a manned, self-contained settlement on Mars to become a reality?" You have free reign over how to approach the problem and are encouraged to draw inspiration from different disciplines.
Entries will be in the form a 4-page report that outlines a solution, be it a technology, system or process, and how it will solve a particular problem associated with such a settlement. The winner will receive £1000 with additional cash prizes for runners-up. The closing date is Friday 3 March. Winning entries will be selected by a panel of expert judges based on scientific content, feasibility, practicality and originality.
The competition was originally proposed by the Royal College of Science Association as a way of getting students excited about real-life scientific challenges. They envisaged the question as something that would stir imaginations and spark discussion over a few pints before students molded their ambitious ideas.
