Currio's Science Co-Host Search Contest
 click here to view the poster |
Online Briefing Session |
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Amused by how our mascot Currio the Science Owl hosts our popular science programme? Dare to take the challenge and promote science literacy like Currio? Now you have got the chance! Join us at the Science Communication Video Contest and compete for the co-host of our fun science programme ‘Q&A with Currio’ at our YouTube Channel.
Science in 5 Minutes
Leverage the power of storytelling and give your talk on any science topic in 5 minutes, be it an emerging science issue or popular science. The talk should be delivered in layman, informing and engaging the community about why science matters. Your audience is everyone. One challenging rule for the competition is that selected contestants will have to co-host with our VTuber Currio. Be a true Science Communicator and help bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and the general public.
Your Selected Topic
- Pick the most important science issue that concerns you
- Elaborate the science behind the issue
- Explain why you think it is important to humanity
- Present your story in a fun and engaging way
- Use layman’s term in your story for the public audience to understand your science
| For examples of possible topics, please refer to our online video briefing to be conducted on February 19, 2024. |
The presentation is about 5 minutes and can be conducted in either English or Chinese (Cantonese or Mandarin).
Students with research experience are also welcome to talk about their research of great public attachment and interest.
The contest is open to both HKU students and secondary school students in the following groups:
- HKU Group (all HKU full-time students)
- Secondary School Group (all Hong Kong secondary school students)
Each Contestant can submit only ONE entry.
First-round Selection
| Steps | Actions for Contestants | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Pick any science topic of your choice. | The purpose of the script is to facilitate a conversation with our ambassador, Currio, who will act as the moderator during the discussion. It is important to note that the responsibility of explaining the science topic will fall on the contestants. Take a glance at Currio’s channel ‘Q&A in Science’ here. |
| Step 2 | Curate content for
| |
| Step 3 | Enrol in the competition below, and upload your script and MP3 file to enrolment platform.
| Submissions must be on time to be accepted, and the deadlines for the two groups are: HKU Group: April 30, 2024 (postponed to May 10, 2024) |
Second-round Selection
| Steps | Actions for Entrants | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Liaise with Faculty Publicity & Outreach Team for the arrangement of video-shooting. | Four selected entrants from each group will be invited to cast for the co-host of Currio and take a video of your presentation with the help of the Faculty at our multimedia studio for the round 2 competition. Apart from access to stock photos for the elaboration of the topic, we will also provide contestants with some support on Currio’s virtual costumes based on their suggestions. Details will be provided to the finalists in due course. |
| Step 2 | Advise the use of visual aids and the flow and delivery of the presentation. | |
| Step 3 | Attend video-shooting of their presentation with co-host Currio at Faculty Multimedia Studio. | While the Faculty will edit all the entries, the competition will be based on the content and delivery by the contestants. The video shooting for entrants (within two hours) will be conducted at an agreed time between the following periods: HKU Group: June/ July 2024 |
Selection Criteria
| Weighting | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Panel (100%) | Content organisation (30%) |
| Ideas and creativity (30%) | |
| Delivery and interpretation (40%) |
All winners will be informed individually by the end of September, and the awards will be presented at our flagship outreach programme Junior Science Institute to be held in mid of November.
| Award | HKU Group | Secondary School Group | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Prize | Apple iPad (10th generation) valued at HK$3,499 plus a certificate | Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Headphones valued at HK$2,499 plus a certificate | |
| Sliver Prize | Apple Watch SE valued at HK$1,999 plus a certificate | Galaxy Buds2 Pro earbuds valued at HK$1,798 plus a certificate | |
| People's Choice Award | Apple gift card valued at HK$800 plus a certificate | city’super/ LOG-ON gift card valued at HK$800 plus a certificate | |
| Merit (2 places) | MUJI gift coupon valued at HK$500 plus a certificate | MUJI gift coupon valued at HK$500 plus a certificate | |
| All entrants will get a Currio plush toy key ring after the competition. | |||
Notes:
- The videos of top entrants will be put on the Faculty Instagram and Facebook pages for public voting.
- Winners of the HKU Group might be invited to be co-hosts at HKU Science YouTube platforms; special consideration may also be given to awardees of the Secondary School Group for admission to the 6901 Bachelor of Science programme.
- Prizes or awards of equivalent values will be presented at the discretion of the Faculty. The Faculty reserves the final right to make any necessary changes in this regard, as deemed appropriate.
| Month | Item/ action |
|---|---|
| February 19, 2024 (4:30pm) | Online briefing session for the Contest |
| April 30, 2024 | Submission deadline for HKU Group (postponed to May 10, 2024) |
| May 10, 2024 | Submission deadline for Secondary School Group |
| May 2024 | First-round selection by panel |
| June/July 2024 | Video-shooting with finalists of HKU Group* |
| July 2024 | Video-shooting with finalists of Secondary School Group* |
| August 2024 | Second-round selection by panel |
| September 2024 | Public voting for People’s Choice Awards |
| September 2024 | Announcement of results |
| Mid of November 2024 | Award presentation |
* The video shooting for entrants (within two hours) will be conducted at an agreed time between the mentioned period.
- Dr Janet CHAN, Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences
- Dr Toby LAI, Assistant Lecturer, Faculty of Science
- Dr Rachel LUI, Assistant Dean (e-Learning), Faculty of Science
- Professor Angela TONG, Assistant Dean (Student Wellbeing & Development), Faculty of Science
- The competition will be on individual basis and each contestant can only submit ONE entry.
- An entry must be the original and unpublished work of the entrant, and must not infringe any copyright laws.
- Media contents must adhere to guidelines that strictly prohibit the promotion of hate, discrimination, or any form of unethical behaviour, and must not cause harm to individuals or society in any manner.
- The participant is required to furnish authentic and precise information, and any deceitful or inaccurate information will lead to disqualification.
- Upon submission of an entry, the participant is presumed to have acknowledged and agreed to the above-mentioned terms and conditions. Any violation of the terms and conditions can lead to disqualification from the contest.
- The Faculty (organiser) reserves the right to interpret the selection criteria. Contestants shall agree to and respect the results.
- The Faculty reserves the right to publish and publicise the awarded entries in any media.
- The copyright for the videos of finalists will be vested with the Faculty.
Enquiries
Publicity & Outreach Team, HKU Faculty of Science
Tel: 3917 2683
Email: scipr@hku.hk