High School Agriculture & Science Photography Comp

High School Agriculture & Science Photography Contest call for entries
27 February, 2006

With secondary school students having just started the year, now is a great time for the artistically inclined to start thinking about the 2007 AgResearch High School Agriculture & Science Photography Contest.

The competition promises to be every bit as successful as last year’s with great prizes and a trip to the National Fieldays in Hamilton on offer.

AgResearch Chief Executive Andy West says the competition is a great way to encourage students to look closely at the science and pastoral sectors as fascinating and exciting places to work.

“We believe it's crucial for New Zealand that more young people take up careers in agricultural and pastoral science and, more broadly, in the pastoral and horticulture sectors.

“In particular, farming, agricultural contracting and food processing are great places for a career with a decent income. They are not sunset industries – this is the future,” he says.

AgResearch Community Relations Advisor and organiser Jules Buchanan says the contest has two categories: Agriculture and Science.

“Examples of photos that could be entered under the Agriculture category include subjects such as animals, fence-posts, farms, clover, wheat or machinery. Those entered under the Science category could include subjects such as animals, science labs or the weather to name a few,” she says.

“View our website www.agresearch.co.nz, click through to Schools & Community and photo competition to see last year’s winning entries. Conditions apply to this contest and they can be found on our website.”

The contest is open to students from Year 9 to Year 13 and entries close on 4 May 2007. The winners will be flown to the 2007 national Fieldays at Mystery Creek in Hamilton where they will be presented with awards.

Premier sponsor of this year’s event is Wintec, which is providing support worth $7500. It is sponsoring first and third place in the Science Category, and second place in the Agriculture Category. MAF is sponsoring first place in the Agriculture Category, while James & Wells is sponsoring second place in the Science Category, and Agrifeeds is sponsoring third place in the Agriculture Category.

“This is one way for AgResearch to encourage students to take a closer look at science and agriculture, and to consider the career opportunities open to them,” says Jules Buchanan.

She says the judges are looking for an original image that is appealing and visually dynamic. Students are encouraged to take a broad and imaginative approach to the four categories.

“We hope ongoing initiatives such as this photo contest will continue to open their eyes to the value of science in New Zealand and their place within it.”

Prizes and categories for 2007 include:

Agriculture Category
- 1st Place Agriculture: winner receives $1200 Olympus digital camera, $250 and travel to Mystery Creek prize giving on the 13 June, 2007, a $250 framed trophy photo to the school.
- 2nd Place Agriculture: winner receives $900 Olympus digital camera, $200, a $250 framed trophy photo to the school.
- 3rd Place Agriculture: winner receives $500 Olympus digital camera, $100, a $250 framed trophy photo to the school.

Science Category
- 1st Place Science: winner receives $1200 Olympus digital camera, $250 and travel to Mystery Creek prize giving on the 13 June, 2007, a $250 framed trophy photo to the school.
- 2nd Place Science: winner receives $900 Olympus digital camera, $200, a $250 framed trophy photo to the school.
- 3rd Place Science: winner receives $500 Olympus digital camera, $100, a $250 framed trophy photo to the school.

Brisbane Biofutures Travel Prize Category
- Student attends the week long Biofutures Science Conference in Brisbane in late June to early July 2007 and travel to Mystery Creek Prize giving on 13 June 2007. Prize covers return flights, accommodation and conference fees.

Waikato Student Resident – Best Image Category
- Student receives a $600 Olympus digital camera, $150, admission to Mystery Creek prize giving on 13 June and a $250 framed trophy photo to the school

ENDS

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