Student Poster Competition

AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition
Student Poster Competition
Call for Entries

Competition Information
How to Enter
Guidelines
Additional Terms and Conditions
Register

Competition Information

Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in the connections between human rights and science, technology, engineering and mathematics? Then you are invited to participate in the 2015 AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition Student Poster Competition!

This competition was created to inspire students to explore connections between human rights and science, engineering and health.  As a network of scientific, engineering and health organizations that recognize a role for science and technology in promoting human rights, the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition addresses such issues as how the human right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications can elevate fundamental scientific values, such as fair access to scientific knowledge and greater scientific freedom; the ways that science and technology can be applied to support human rights work; and the promotion and protection of the rights of scientists, engineers and health professionals.

The Coalition is also currently running a Student Essay Competition based on the same theme.

Posters should explore a topic at the intersection of science and/or technology with human rights. For example, posters might address: the applications of a scientific approach or a new technology to address specific human rights concerns; an analysis of synergies between human rights obligations and the social responsibilities of scientists, engineers and health professionals; or the ways in which full recognition of the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress may influence realization of other human rights. These examples are only provided to spark ideas: students are encouraged to submit posters that reflect their own ideas, interests, and insights.

How to Enter

1. Review the guidelines for entry. Entries that do not follow the Guidelines may be disqualified from the competition.

2. Register for the competition and submit your poster abstract. Students intending to present posters must register for the competition at http://goo.gl/forms/Jz1iYBq0Oy by Friday, June 26, 2015, 11:59 pm EST.

3. Join us for the July 16-17, 2015, AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition meeting in Washington, D.C. Judging will take place during the Coalition’s meeting in July. Student registration for the meeting is free. All other expenses related to participation in the poster competition (including travel) are the student’s responsibility.

Questions? Contact Theresa Harris at tharris@aaas.org or (202) 326-6796.

Student Poster Competition Guidelines

Eligibility

1. The competition is open to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a degree program.
2. Students may be enrolled in any discipline. Students enrolled in life science, physical science, social science, health, engineering or mathematics programs are especially encouraged to participate.
3. Students may be enrolled in any accredited college or university. There is no geographic restriction.
4. Each student or team of students may submit only one poster. If submitted by a team, one author must serve as the primary point of contact when registering the poster.
5. All posters must reflect the original thoughts of the author(s).
6. Posters must address a topic at the intersection of human rights with science and/or technology. For example, topics could include: the applications of a scientific approach or a new technology to address specific human rights concerns; an analysis of synergies between human rights obligations and the social responsibilities of scientists, engineers and/or health professionals; or the ways in which full recognition of the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress may influence realization of other human rights. These examples are only provided to spark ideas: students are encouraged to submit posters that reflect their own ideas, interests, and insights.
7. Students are welcome to present a poster previously presented in a professional society meeting, but must disclose both the venue, and the date of the presentation at the time of their submission.
8. Students who intend to participate in the competition, or a team representative, must register and submit a poster abstract using the form at http://goo.gl/forms/Jz1iYBq0Oy  by the Submission Deadline: Friday, June 26, 2015, 11:59 pm EST. Late submissions will not be accepted.
9. Abstracts submitted during registration and the text of the final posters must be in English.
10. Students are required to be present and display their posters during the assigned judging period during the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2015, at AAAS in Washington, DC. Expenses related to participation in the competition, including travel, are the student’s responsibility.
11. All poster competition entrants are required to register for the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition meeting. There is no charge for student registration. Registration will open at http://www.aaas.org/page/coalition-meetings closer to the meeting date 

Poster Presentation

The author of the poster, or a representative of the student team that prepared the poster, must present the poster for judging at the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2015. Students must print their posters, mount them on foam-core board, and bring them to the meeting. All posters must be displayed on easels, which will be provided by AAAS on-site. Computer display equipment, sound or projection equipment, or freestanding displays are not permitted.

All posters must be set up during the time allotted before the meeting starts in the morning on July 16, 2015, and must remain up until the meeting ends that evening. Materials must then be removed promptly, by the end of the meeting on Friday, July 17, 2015. AAAS will not be responsible for material left on easels after the meeting.

Poster Judging

Posters will be judged by members of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition who are scientists, engineers, and health professionals as well as other experts with experience connecting science, technology and human rights in their professional work. Human rights professionals also will be invited to serve as judges.

The judges will consider each poster’s relevance to the topic of science and human rights, as described in paragraph 6 above, the quality of argument demonstrated by the poster and the presentation, creativity in responding to the topic, the student’s understanding of the topic as evidenced by the presentation, and overall effective communication of the student’s ideas. 

Prizes

The winning students will be recognized at the July 16-17, 2015 meeting of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition (AAAS is unable to cover travel expenses). Winners of the competition will receive a year of membership in AAAS and a one-year subscription to Science, as well as a cash prize generously provided by the AAAS-Andrew M. Sessler Fund for Science, Education, and Human Rights. Students who receive prizes will be asked to support AAAS stewardship of the Sessler Fund by providing feedback about their experience in the competition. If a team wins an award, each member of the team will receive a membership and a subscription to Science, but the team will share the cash award.

Poster Design

1. Limit the size of your poster to 22” x 28”. Download a sample template.
2. Poster elements should be mounted with an adhesive on 1/8” (.313”) foam-core board.
3. All posters should feature a title, your name(s), and the name of your university. All lettering should be legible from about three feet away.
4. Use color to add emphasis and clarity. Make illustrations simple and bold. Enlarge photos to show pertinent details clearly.
5. Displayed materials should be self-explanatory, freeing you for discussion.
6. Handouts with additional information about your poster topic may be made available for interested viewers.
7. No demonstrations or three-dimensional displays are allowed.
8. Posters that show lack of care as evidenced by grammatical, punctuation, spelling, and typographical errors are reviewed less favorably.

Students participating in the competition authorize AAAS to use all or part of their posters in print and digital media. In such instances, the poster will be attributed to the author(s) and the college or university the student(s) attend.

Questions should be directed to Theresa Harris at tharris@aaas.org or (202) 326-6796.

Additional Terms and Conditions