DISCOVERY EDUCATION'S
"YOUNG SCIENTIST CHALLENGE: STUDENT EDITION"
OFFICIAL RULES

Printable Version

1. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

2. ELIGIBILITY:
   The Discovery Education 3M "Young Scientist Challenge" ("Contest") is open to all legal U.S. residents who are students enrolled in 5th through 8th grade at a public, private, parochial, or home school located in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia. Former Young Scientist Challenge finalists are not eligible to enter the Contest. In order to be considered eligible, students must be currently enrolled in 5th through 8th grade at the time of entry and comply with the safety guidelines set forth below ("Safety Guidelines"). Employees, officers and directors of Discovery Education (the "Sponsor") and 3M ("Promotional Partner"), its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising agencies, promotional suppliers, their immediate family members (spouse, siblings, and children, regardless of where they live) or members of the same households (whether related or not) of such employees, officers and directors (collectively, "Contest Entities") are not eligible. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited.

3. CONTEST PERIOD:
   The Contest period commences on December 30, 2009 and expires at 11:59 PM EST on May 27, 2010.

4. BRIEF CONTEST DESCRIPTION:
   Eligible students shall have the opportunity to create a video that communicates one of the scientific concepts outlined in Section 5 below. For a student to officially enter the Contest, the student must be registered as described below and his/her video must be uploaded between December 31, 2009 and 11:59 PM EST on May 27, 2010. Limit one entry per student. The student with the highest score from each state, including the District of Columbia, will be considered a semifinalist (51 in total). Of the 51 semifinalists, the ten (10) with the highest overall scores will be selected as finalists and will compete for the Grand Prize (described below).

5. TO REGISTER AND ENTER:
   Starting on December 31, 2009, visit www.youngscientistchallenge.com, click on the Contest banner, tile or link and follow the on-screen directions to complete the on-line entry form by entering your zip code and by providing your parent or legal guardian’s email address ("Entry Request"). Then submit this information in accordance with the on-screen instructions during the Contest Period. Important: In the Entry Request you must provide your zip code and your parent or legal guardian’s valid, verifiable email address. Sponsor will send an email to your parent or guardian advising him/her of your attempt to enter this Contest. In that parental email notification your parent/guardian will be given the opportunity to consent/authorize your entry into this Contest by completing and electronically signing the consent form that is generated by clicking on the consent form link in the email ("Consent Form"). This Consent Form from your parent/legal guardian must be emailed and received, in accordance with the directions found in the form, by no later than 11:59 P.M. ET on May 26, 2010. Once the parent/guardian submits the Consent Form, a registration page will appear on-line as a separate pop-up window ("Registration Page"), and the parent/guardian must complete the information requested in the Registration Page by no later than 11:30 PM ET on May 27, 2010, which includes without limitation, the student’s full name, home address, home phone, email address, birth date, age, gender, school grade, parent/legal guardian’s name and email address, school information and local media information. In addition, the Registration Page will offer a check box for the parent / guardian to select whether the student has been nominated to participate in this Contest. Once the parent/guardian submits the Registration Page by clicking send, the parent/guardian will be prompted to set up a username and password for the student. Username and password confirmation will be sent to both parent/guardian and student at the emails provided in the Registration Form. The student shall use his/her username and password in order to submit his/her video.

   If your parent/legal guardian does not submit the Consent Form and the Registration Form by the applicable dates stated above, you will not be able to enter the Contest.

6. SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS:
   Each student must select one (1) of the following scientific concepts (each a "Scientific Concept" and collectively ("Scientific Concepts"):

   Students are challenged to create an engaging one- to two-minute science video. The topic must be selected from the following list that deals with the science of safety and security. Each entry must explain the science behind the danger and the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics behind a possible solution.

   (1) Preventing the spread of germs/disease:
   People pick up germs from surfaces that are not well cleaned. Health care facilities (hospitals, doctors offices) and other public places are difficult to keep free from disease carrying germs. What can you do to make sure that surfaces that people come in contact with are as germ free as possible?

   • Explain the danger and the science behind it.
   • Explain and/or demonstrate possible option(s) for protection and explain the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics involved.

   (2) Food safety:
   Food can transmit disease from person to person as well as serve as a growth medium for bacteria. How can you reduce the threat of food poisoning and improve food safety.

   • Explain the danger and the science behind it.
   • Explain and/or demonstrate possible option(s) for protection and explain the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics involved.

   (3) Sun protection:
   Humans need natural sunlight. While some exposure to sunlight can be enjoyable and healthy, too much can be dangerous. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can pass through glass and therefore reach you and all the materials round you while you are inside a building or car.

   • Explain the danger and the science behind it.
   • Explain and/or demonstrate possible option(s) for protection and explain the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics involved.

   (4) Wind resistant structures:
   During severe weather, structures must often withstand very high winds.

   • Explain the danger and the science behind it.
   • Explain and/or demonstrate possible option(s) for protection and explain the science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics involved.

7. VIDEO SUBMISSION:
   To enter, a student must submit one, and only one, entry video explaining and/or demonstrating one of the Scientific Concepts listed above in Section 5 (the "Entry Video").

   The Entry Video must be longer than 60 seconds, but not longer than 120 seconds. The Entry Video must be the original work of the student. Only the student can appear in the Entry Video, no other individuals should be filmed. Students must work independently on the development of their video concept and must record their video with minimal help or direction from others. Entries WILL NOT be accepted which include non-student work.

   To upload the Entry Video, the student must visit, during the Contest Period, www.youngscientistchallenge.com and login by using his/her username and password to enter the upload page. At the upload page the student will be prompted to upload his/her Entry Video and, if desired, to provide a photograph and brief biographical information. Entry Videos must be submitted on the Contest upload page in one of the following file formats: *.asf;*.avi;*.flv;*.mov;*.mpg;*.mpeg;*.wmv. Completed Entry Videos must be received between December 31, 2009 and 11:59PM EST on May 27, 2010. No entries will be accepted before or after such period.

   Entry Video may not defame or invade the privacy or publicity rights of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon a person's personal or proprietary rights. No copyrighted material may be used in an entry video unless student is the copyright owner of said material. Submissions that are deemed by the Judges in their sole discretion to be immoral, obscene, profane or not in keeping with Sponsor's image will be disqualified. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time which, in the Sponsor’s reasonable opinion, endangers the safety or well being of any person or in the event it is determined that the entrant has not complied with these Official Rules, including without limitation the Safety Guidelines. In addition to the Sponsors’ right to do so at its discretion, the judges will also be instructed to disqualify any entry that describes dangerous conduct, stunts or tricks, conduct that could lead to physical injury, property damage or otherwise violates or is inconsistent with these Official Rules. Other than for semifinalist and finalist notification, neither Sponsor, nor anyone acting on its behalf, will enter into any unsolicited communication with any entrant regarding this Contest, nor will entries be acknowledged or returned.

   Participation in the Contest constitutes the student’s and his/her parent’s or guardian’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules. By entering the Contest, the student and his/her parent or guardian warrants that the student’s Entry Video is an original creation of the student’s; has not been previously published or won any award; and that student and the parent or guardian is aware of no conflicting rights in the submission or claims to the submission, including but not limited to copyright or other intellectual property right.

8. JUDGING: There a three (3) rounds of judging:

   
   

   • Round 1: All entries will first be screened to ensure they meet the entry criteria. A panel of judges from Discovery Education and its partner organizations, educators and science professionals will then score qualifying Entry Videos. Students will be scored on their ability to understand and effectively communicate the Scientific Concept they have chosen for their Entry Video. Each Scientific Concept shall be treated equally. Scores will be broken down in to 5 areas:

     1. (i) Creativity (20%);
     2. (ii) Content's relation to stated criteria (30%);
     3. (iii) Persuasiveness (10%);
     4. (iv) Classroom suitability (10%); and
     5. (v) Overall presentation (30%).

     The judges will select a semifinalist from each state from which an entry is received including the District of Columbia (up to 51 semifinalists in total). The student with highest score from each state, including the District of Columbia, (according to this rubric) will be considered a semifinalist (up to 51 in total). The semifinalists will be announced on or about July 12, 2010. In the event of any ties, the overall presentation score will be used as a tiebreaker.

   • Round 2: Of the semifinalists, the ten (10) with the highest overall scores will be selected as the finalists and will be eligible for the Contest prizes. The 10 finalists will be announced on or about August 9, 2010. In the event of any ties, the overall presentation score will be used as a tiebreaker.

   • Round 3: On or about October 4-6, 2010, the 10 finalists will compete in a series of challenges, some of which may be in front of a live audience, at a final challenge event held in New York City. The finalists will be judged by a panel of judges from Discovery Education and its partner organizations, educators and science professionals on their communication and scientific problem solving skills. Sponsor may disclose the topics, challenges and judging criteria prior to October 4, 2010. Student who scores the highest score according to the judging criteria will be deemed the Grand Prize winner.

   • All Judges’ decisions are final.

9. PRIZES:

   • 51 Semifinalist Prizes: Each semifinalist will receive: $250 check, Contest certificate, Young Scientist Challenge Tee-shirt (ARV $10.00). In addition, his/her school will win a Contest plaque for his/her Middle School and a plaque for the Student's Teacher.

   • Honorable Mention Prize: After the Semifinalist prize winners have been determined, up to the next fifty (50) highest scoring entries will be awarded an Honorable Mention prize, at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Each Honorable Mention recipient will receive a Contest certificate.

   • 10 Finalist Prizes: All 10 finalists shall win the following:

     3 day / 2 night trip to New York, NY to compete in Contest finals for the Grand Prize (as defined below). Prize includes hotel accommodations for 2 nights for the finalist and his/her parent or legal guardian (one standard room of double occupancy) at hotel selected by Sponsor on or about October 4-6, 2010. The finalist prize also includes roundtrip coach airfare for the finalist and his/her parent or legal guardian from a major airport nearest the finalist home (airport and airlines selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion), ground transportation to and from the airport and to and from the Contest, select events, and meals. Meals shall consist of 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners [Approximately retail value ("ARV") $2,300.00]. Gratuities and incidental expenses not included. The parent/legal guardian of winner is responsible for any travel insurance. Actual value will vary depending upon point of departure, location of final challenge event, and other contingencies. Any differences between actual costs and ARV will not be awarded. Finalist and parent / guardian must travel together on the same itinerary. If finalist resides within a 100-mile radius of New York, NY, Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to provide ground transportation in lieu of air transportation and no compensation or substitution will be provided for difference in prize value.

     • Opportunity to compete in the Contest finals
     • $1,000.00 check,
     • Contest medal,
     • Special finalist apparel (ARV $20.00), and
     • Chance to win various prizes at the Contest reception.

   • Grand Prize*: The Grand Prize winner will receive the following:

     • $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds. (Cash Value $25,000.00)
     • A trip to 3M's World Headquarters in St. Paul, MN (ARV $1035)
     • Contest trophy, and
     • The title of "America's Top Young Scientist".

   * For the avoidance of doubt, the Grand Prize winner will also receive all of the finalist prizes, except for the $1000.00 check; instead he/she will win $50,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds.

   The semifinalists and finalists will be notified by email or by telephone (as provided on the Registration Page) and will be sent a claim form, which parent or legal guardian of the finalist will be required to sign and return to Sponsor. All semifinalists and finalists, upon being selected, must submit a completed and signed Appearance Consent and Release Form for the final competition and any on-air program about the competition, which parent or legal guardian of the semifinalist and finalist will be required to sign and return to Sponsor. The Grand Prize winner will be notified at the Contest. In addition, each finalist will be sent an affidavit/documentation of eligibility and liability release, a federal and state tax release (if applicable), and a (where legal) publicity release. Parent or legal guardian of the finalist will be required to complete and return the aforementioned documents within 10 days of issuance of these documents to claim the finalist prize. Failure to timely complete and return the properly signed affidavit and releases or other prize documentation, or if a finalist chooses to decline a prize for any reason, or fails to comply with any requirement of these Official Rules, may result in the prize being forfeited. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable, or inability of Sponsor to contact finalist(s), may result in disqualification. The parents/guardians of each finalist hereby agrees that their child, as a finalist, will participate in all advertising, publicity (including live and taped television appearances), press, and promotional events scheduled by Sponsor in connection with the Contest. Failure to participate in said events may result in disqualification and forfeiture of prizes. The prize trip consists of round trip coach air travel for two people from a major commercial airport near winner's residence (as determined by Sponsor); standard double occupancy hotel accommodations for three days/two nights; and $375 spending money. All other expenses not specified herein are the winner's sole responsibility. Air carriers, hotels and other transportation will be selected by Sponsor. Approximate retail value of the prize trip: $1035. Actual value will be determined by winner's residence and seasonal rates. Travel, accommodations and activities are subject to availability and certain restrictions. Air carriers, hotels and other transportation selected by Sponsor. Winner and Parent/Guardian must travel on the same itinerary at the time determined by the Sponsor and will be responsible for all necessary travel authorizations and for any travel insurance. Trip must be taken at time determined by Sponsor or the prize trip will be forfeited in its entirety.

10. RESTRICTIONS, RIGHTS AND RELEASE:
    All taxes on prize and all expenses related to acceptance and use of the prize not specified are the sole responsibility of finalist/winner. By participating, entrants agree: [a] to these rules and decisions of Sponsor and judges, which shall be final in all respects relating to the Contest; and [b] to release, discharge and hold harmless Contest Entities from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind resulting from their participating in the Contest or their acceptance, use or misuse of a prize including, without limitation, personal injury, death and property damage, and claims based on publicity rights, copyright, trademark, defamation or invasion of privacy. Based on releases/affidavits and the details of the Consent Form provided, entrants agree to grant Sponsor: [a] all rights of ownership, reproduction and use of entry and Entry Video for any purpose whatsoever without compensation or further permission, including but not limited to an irrevocable and perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide right, in all media (now known or later developed) to assign, use, publish, edit, adapt, modify, alter, reproduce, distribute, broadcast, display, copyright, create derivative works or otherwise exploit entries, for commercial or non-commercial use; and if a winner, [b] to permit Sponsor to use his or her name, photograph, likeness, Video Entry, biographical information, voice, voice likeness, and city and state address for advertising, publicity and promotional purposes in all media, including but not limited to within Sponsor's websites in perpetuity, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) and agree to execute specific consent to such use upon request. Contest Entities are not responsible for and shall not be liable for: [a] electronic, hardware or software program, network, Internet or computer malfunctions, failures, or difficulties of any kind, including without limitation, server malfunction or by any human error which may occur in the processing of entries; [b] failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions; [c] late, lost, misdirected or incomplete entries ; or [d] any condition caused by events beyond the control of the Sponsor that may cause the promotion to be disrupted or corrupted. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest or any portion thereof should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond the control of Sponsor corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Contest, and limit entries to those submitted prior to the action taken, or to proceed in such a manner as may be deemed fair and equitable by Sponsor in its sole discretion and to award the prize from all eligible entries received prior to such action taking place. No prize transfer or cash redemption. No prize substitution or modification, in whole or in part, except by Sponsor due to prize unavailability, safety or security considerations, or any other reason as solely determined by Sponsor in which case a prize of comparable or greater value will be awarded. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROMOTION MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. Internet entry must be made at the authorized web site address of www.youngscientistchallenge.com. Entries may not be made by any other individual or any entity, and/or originating at any other Internet website or e-mail address, including but not limited to commercial contest and sweepstakes subscription notification and/or entering service sites. Any person who enters by any of the methods described above will be disqualified. Use of any device to automate entry is prohibited. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time in the event it is determined that the entrant has not complied with these Official Rules. This Contest is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, with jurisdiction and venue in Montgomery County, Maryland, and all claims must be resolved in the courts of Montgomery County, Maryland.

11. WINNERS LIST:
    To receive the Grand Prize winner’s name, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be received by December 31, 2010, to: Young Scientist Challenge Winner List, One Discovery Place, HC07-05G, Silver Spring, MD, 20910.

12. Sponsor: Discovery Education, Inc., One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

    ©2009 Discovery Education, Inc. Printed in USA. All rights reserved.

1. Research the scientific concept thoroughly to understand any dangers involved in your demonstrations.
2. You cannot use (i) human blood/body fluids, (ii) animals, (iii) live ammunition, firearms, or explosives, (iv) poisonous plants, or (v) radioactive material.
3. Parts of the body are not to be placed in danger. Do not directly view the sun, infrared, or ultraviolet sources.
4. Do not taste any non food substance or food substance that has been subjected to possible contamination.
5. Dress safely for your presentation (e.g., gloves, eye protection, an apron, ear protection, safety shield, etc.).
6. Keep quantities of hazardous materials to a minimum, and always have waste containers for the disposal of such materials.
7. Comply with all local fire and safety rules and regulations; Use caution when heating all forms of matter; always have a fire extinguisher available.
8. Thoroughly check all motors to make sure all parts are sturdy and that safety nuts are securely fastened.
9. Always check to see if certain elements of your demonstration require you to obtain state and/or local permits. Always obtain the necessary permits prior to conducting your demonstration.
10. Always practice your demonstration before filming.
11. We strongly recommend that you review the safety guidelines established by the National Science Teachers Associations at: http://www.nsta.org/pdfs/SafetyGuidelines.pdf