Environmental Science: Scientific Essay Competition
The A-Bee-Z of Trees Essay Competition – Arbour Week: September 1 to 7
Being thus prepared for us in all ways, and made beautiful, and good for food, and for building, and for instruments of our hands, this race of plants, deserving boundless affection and admiration from us, becomes, in proportion to their obtaining it, a nearly perfect test of our being in right temper of mind and way of life; so that no one can be far wrong in either who loves trees enough, and everyone is assuredly wrong in both who does not love them,
if his life has brought them in his way.
- John Ruskin, 1819-1900, Modern Painters VI
Rules of the A-Bee-Z of Trees Essay Competition:
Scientific Essay
- Participants have to write a scientific essay of not more than 3,000 words on any selected topic[See Attachment here-under].
- A file or portfolio containing relevant research material must accompany the essay [See paragraph 5 here-under].
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Selection of a Theme:
Themes are recommended by the organizers of the Competition, and project criteria will be provided to participants.
Recommended Themes:
Participating teams have 13 themes to choose from [See Attachment here-under].
Junior School [Grades 1 to 6]
Trees in our Garden
Why do people plant trees? Students have to count the number of trees at 20 homes in their suburb and investigate why certain people plant trees and other people eradicate trees.
Nature’s Kitchen Can trees give people enough food? Students have to investigate trees as sources of food in a time when the populations of the World grow at a fast rate
Greening our School Is it important to plant trees at our schools? Students have to do identify reasons why it is important to plant trees in school grounds.
Middle School [Grades 7 to 9]
The Cost of Knowledge
How much paper is needed to produce one text book? Students have to calculate
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how much wood is required to produce one book, and
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how much it costs to recycle one old book on order to manufacture one new book
Kill or Cure
Why are certain trees poisonous? Students have to identify chemical substances in trees that
have medicinal value, and are harmful to people.
They have to explain why both types of chemicals are found in one tree, and how the cells manage this.
The Tree House
Describe trees as habitats for animal- and insect species. Students have to investigate how different species of animals and insects use trees as habitats. In certain areas trees are cut down and this results in tree-bound species forced to leave the area.
The Acoustics of Wood
Why do musicians use wood for musical instruments Students have to
Senior School[Grades 10 to 12]
Fixing CO2
Why do trees absorb and produce CO2? Students have to calculate and compare the amounts of CO2 set free by trees and the amounts of CO2 Pollution that can be absorbed by trees.
Hot and Cold; Wet and Dry.
How do trees defend themselves, and what is the role that cells play in this process? Students have to identify natural defence mechanisms in trees, and the role cells play in the process. Certain tree species produce tannins to protect themselves against browsers [plant eating animals]. How and why does a tree produce tannins?
The Change Factor
Can trees adapt to climate change?Students have to investigate how trees adapt to changes in seasons [wet/dry; hot/cold]. Will trees survive extreme climate change?
Aliens in our Garden
Investigate the interaction between alien tree species and indigenous trees Students have to investigate how alien species [Eg birds, insects, plants] threaten indigenous tree species in their region
Passion and Fire
Investigate the various uses of wood by people. Students have to investigate the uses of wood as exotic furniture and ornaments by some people and the use of firewood in poor communities. They have to determine if it is economical to cut down a tree to produce one ornament?
The Paperless Classroom: Fact of Fiction
Will computer technology replace paper in the classroom? The development of computers and information technology has influenced the use of blackboards and writing paper in classrooms. Will paper be replaced by other technologies in future? How?
2050
Advanced theme: Is it possible to (i) predict air pollution by CO2, and (ii) calculate how many trees must be planted to have a significant affect on the prevention of global warming? Students have to
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Who may participate:
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Eligibility. All students from grade 1 to grade 13 [pre-graduate] level.
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Students of all ages are encouraged to participate in the Contest, even if they are related to officials or employees of the NYDT or any of its partner organizations [Project judges excluded].
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Students have to work in team [study group] context. A minimum of three members per team are allowed [Maximum 6].
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Participation in the contest is not limited to any region or Country
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More than one entry per school is allowed
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Participants may be assisted and/or mentored by teachers
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Work must be original
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Format of Entries:
Essay in printed format
File or portfolio:
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In “Pen and paper” format [For schools/learners who do not have computers available]
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Or: In CD format [For schools/learners who have regular computers available]
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Or: In Multimedia [Multi-modal] format [For schools/learners who have computers with advanced software available]
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Identification of Participants:
The following details should be clearly shown:
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Certificate of Authenticity.
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Each entry must be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity
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The Certificate is to be worded: "I/We certify that this is the original work of (names of entrants)”.
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Certificates are to be signed by the entrant's teacher, coach or other suitable person of authority.
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Final Date:
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Judging:
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Preliminary Judging: The top 9 entries in the three categories will be selected by the Competition Administrator, who will be assisted by a panel of judges
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Final round: The top 9 entries will be judged by a panel of VIP judges [Who may not include any judge who served as a preliminary judge].
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Entries will be judged by a panel of qualified, objective judges.
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The decision of the judges will be final.
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Awards:
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The 9 best entries will each receive awards and prizes
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The winners in each age group will receive gold, silver and bronze certificates
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Certificates of merit may be issued to other deserving entries.
Copyright and Ownership of the Entries: Entries and its content, once received by the organizer, will become and remain the property of the NYDT/New Frontiers Science Academy.
Address for submission of the Competition entries:
a. Postal delivery:
PostNet Suite # 568
Private Bag X 4
Menlopark
Pretoria
South Africa 0102
b. Hand delivery [Pretoria region only]: to be arranged with the NYDT Office per
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