Rolls-Royce prize to reward teamwork

Teachers working in schools and colleges in the UK and the Republic of Ireland are invited to enter a team to the Rolls-Royce Science Prize competition for the chance to win up to £20,000 to invest in science education.  

Now in its third year, the competition is designed to: recognise and reward excellence in science teaching; promote innovative sustainable strategies for teaching science; and contribute to teachers' continuing professional development (CPD).  

The competition runs on a rolling two-year cycle. Teachers must form a team comprising a minimum of three and maximum of six adults; staff from different schools and colleges can collaborate to form a team. Each team must submit a detailed, budgeted science teaching proposal that addresses a specific need in its school or college. The proposal may form part of an existing school improvement plan for science teaching. This year, through collaborations with the Association for Science Education (ASE), the Institute of Physics (IoP), SETNET and the Science Learning Centres, regional network advisors are on hand to help teams develop their ideas and draw up proposals.  

The deadline for entries is 28 February 2007. Submissions must be made via the competition website and can be in one of three age categories: 3-11, 11-16 and 16-19 years. From September the finalists will each be provided with £5000 funding and the support of a specialist mentor to help them implement their proposals in their institution over a 24-week period (two terms). The winner will be the team which in the opinion of a panel of judges has most effectively implemented its programme according to the stated teaching objectives. The winning team will receive £15,000 to spend on science education and a runner-up team will receive £10,000.  

For further information about the Rolls-Royce Science Prize see the competition website.