Prizes for Innovative Use of Technology in Learning

Are you aged 11-18, in full-time education? Can you get other people excited by what interests you? Do you enjoy using technology in creative ways?
Then why not enter our competition, for a chance to win a prize worth up to £300!
Our competition for 2022-23 will open soon!

On

91Ö±²¥

91Ö±²¥ is delighted to coordinate the Harry and Margaret Kroto Prize for Innovative Use of Technology in Science Learning.

Professor Sir Harry Kroto died on 30th April 2016, but his legacy continues. This prize, in partnership with the Jacobs Foundation, being one inspirational example.

The prize is awarded annually to students aged 11-18, from any school in the world, for the best video about any Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics subject matter.

Sir Harry’s commitment to innovation in learning was a true inspiration and, to honour that commitment and the ongoing commitment of Lady Margaret Kroto, a complementary competition was also launched to recognise the Innovative Use of Technology in Humanities Learning.

This prize is awarded annually to students aged 11-18, from any school in the world, for the best video about any Language (including English), Music, Arts, Philosophy/Religion, History or Geography subject matter.


Prizes

There will be a 1st prize of £300, 2nd prize of £200 and 3rd prize of £100 (these may be awarded in vouchers), plus an additional prize of £200 for the best presentation in English by students whose first language is not English.

The prize is shared 50/50 between the student and the school/college.


Competition rules - for both categories

One entry to each category (Science and Humanities) is permitted per school.

The entry should be presented as a video of no more than 4 minutes in length, be made in English and be submitted by the student's school.

In order to qualify, videos must be hosted on an accessible platform, eg YouTube, and should be linked to from the school's website.

Not sure where to begin? 

Take a look at the  and this blog about .


Top tips for preparing a strong submission

Storyboard your idea

Consider what will happen in each section:

  • What is the overall story you want to tell?
  • What is being viewed?
  • What is being said?

What style will you use?

People talking directly to the camera? Animation? Stop motion? Or will you use a combination?

Check these things before you get going

  • Audio quality and consistency (you don’t want it too quiet or randomly getting loud).
  • Does all your equipment work properly, including any props to be used in the film?
  • Be sure to add credits, especially where you have used Copyrighted material.

When it is produced

  • Check your editing for jumps/breaks.
  • Watch the whole thing back and check for any sound or quality issues.
  • Ask someone who hasn’t been involved in production to give you some feedback.

Judging criteria:

  • Academic content
  • Use of technology
  • Communication and presentation
  • Ambassadors for learning and science

91Ö±²¥ have been absolutely delighted with the number of entries received over the years, all of which were of a very high standard.

The competition is judged by a specialist panel, including senior academics, and staff with expertise in public engagement, education, and communication.


Winners

Winning entries from previous years are available to view below:

2022's winning entries
  • 1st place: Rakesh Vaddepalli, The Blue Coat School, 
  • 2nd place: Manav Chitkara and Gonzalo Mugarra, The Repton School, 

The prize for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences was not awarded in 2022 - Let's change that for 2023!

2021's winning entries (the competition was not held in 2020)
  • 1st Place: Tamsin Anderson, Caterham School,   
  • 2nd Place: Tahmid Fahim Uddin, Ilford County High School,
  • 3rd Place: Saina Sharma, South Hampstead High School,

Judges' comment: The range of topics presented, and the methods the entrants used to communicate their areas of interest were fantastic! The students showed a real flair for exciting people about their subjects, and used technology brilliantly, to help them get their messages across in a fascinating and easy-to-understand way.

The prize for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences was not awarded in 2021

2019's winning entries
  • 1st prize: 
  • Joint 2nd prize: 
  • Joint 2nd prize: 
  • 3rd prize: 
2018's winning entries
  • 1st prize: 
  • 2nd prize: 
  • 3rd prize: 
  • Prize for students for whom English is not their first language: 
2017's winning entries
  • 1st prize: 
  • 2nd prize: 
  • 3rd prize: 
  • Prize for students for whom English is not their first language: 
2016's winning entries
  • 1st prize: 
  • 2nd prize: 
  • 3rd prize: 
  • Prize for students for whom English is not their first language: British School Barcelona - Hydraulic Claw Arm (link no longer available)
2015's winning entries
  • 1st prize: 
  • 2nd prize: 
  • Joint 3rd prize: 
  • Joint 3rd prize: 
  • Prize for students for whom English is not their first language: 

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