Update: VETNET LLN Supports National Science Competition

Along with Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the land based industries, VETNET LLN is supporting the competition which is being hosted by Capel Manor College.

Dr Paul Bryant, Head of the School of Animal Care and Saddlery at the college, is the driving force behind the initiative. He believes the competition offers vocational students an excellent opportunity to showcase their talents and to challenge the perceptions of those that consider ‘A’ levels to be the gold standard.

The competition involves designing, conducting and presenting a scientific research project based on an animal related theme. Entrants will submit a scientific paper for judging and finalists will be required to present their work to a panel of expert judges at the Royal Veterinary College in London in June.

The competition is open to all Level 3 land based learners and is based around the Scientific Investigation in Animal Management unit of the BTEC National Diploma. The competition requirements meet all the assessment criteria for this unit and can be cross referenced to related units in other land based National Diplomas and City & Guilds Advanced National Certificate modules.

The competition is open to all level 3 land based learners regardless of whether they are registered for the Scientific Investigation unit or not. To support potential entrants in colleges where this unit is not offered, Capel Manor College have prepared an independent study pack for the unit that can be downloaded from the college website.

Applications to enter the competition must be made by 12th December 2008 and the closing date for project submissions is 22nd May 2009.

Prize(s) for the Winning Entries: 10 finalists (teams or individuals) will be invited to attend the final event and prize ceremony, who will present their projects and scientific papers to the panel of judges. Prizes will be awarded to a winner and runner-up in each of three categories and all finalists will be considered for all categories

Best Research Project – Sponsored by Vetnet LLN The winners in this category will be selected for the quality of their investigation; scientific rigour in planning and conducting their research; careful interpretation of their data and evaluation of their findings in relation to other published work; compliance with the conventions of presenting scientific work for publication

First Prize £1000 + £200 for the institution supporting the prizewinner Second Prize £500

Best Presentation – Sponsored by Lantra The winners in this category will be selected for attention to detail in presenting their findings and demonstrating their ability to explain, justify and defend their work to an audience

First Prize £500 + £100 for the institution supporting the prizewinner Second Prize £250

Most Original Investigation – Sponsored by Edexcel

The winners in this category will be selected for innovative topics or approaches to conducting their research, problem solving or lateral thinking that show the true spirit of scientific inquiry

First Prize £500 + £100 for the institution supporting the prizewinner Second Prize £250

For further details and an application form, please visit the Capel Manor website at http://www.capel.ac.uk/competition