Science and NSF Introduce New Prize for Visual Media
That Promotes Understanding of Science

The first ever Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge is now open to scientists and engineers from around the world who have used visual media to promote an understanding of their research results.

The contest, sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the AAAS journal Science, aims to promote the recognition of visual media that creatively enhances the understanding of technical information. Visual media submitted can include photographs, illustrations, animations, interactive media, video sequences, and computer graphics. The entries need to have been produced since January 2000, and can be targeted toward either lay or technical audiences.

"Increasingly, visual media are becoming an essential aspect of communicating research findings," says Monica Bradford, executive editor of Science. "We want this contest to both prompt discussion of different techniques and encourage innovative approaches to visual communication."

All of the entries will be judged based on their accuracy, creativity, innovativeness, and communication impact. Judging will take place in two parts. First, a panel of judges appointed by NSF and Science will select 30 semifinalists. Then a national panel of judges representing a variety of fields will judge the semifinalist entries. The top three entries in each category (photographs, illustrations, and multimedia) will be awarded first, second and third places.

The names of the winners will be published in a special section of the 12 September 2003 issue of Science, on Science Online, and on the NSF website. The Foundation and Science will also host both an exhibit and a lecture for the winners. (Travel expenses and per diem will be paid by NSF.) The goal of the Art of Science Project is to bring to NSF original works of art that visually explore the connections between artistic and scientific expression.

Scientists and engineers can submit their entries between 7 February 2003 and 31 May 2003 (with entries being postmarked no later than 31 May 2003). Entry forms and rules can be found at www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/events/sevc/start.htm.

—Susan Davis

7 February 2003