Each year, approximately 75 awards are given at our student conferences for outstanding oral and poster presentations.
Below you will find descriptions of each awards as well as the Yearbook of our most recent winners.
The Science Atlantic Undergraduate Research Award and the Science Atlantic Science Communication Award are offered at each of the annual Science Atlantic-sponsored student conferences.
Science Atlantic Undergraduate Research Award
Formerly called the NSERC Representatives’ Undergraduate Student Award, from 2004 to 2012. This award is presented to the student (or students) giving the best research presentation(s) at an annual Science Atlantic conference.
The Award
The Award consists of a cash prize and a letter of commendation and can be split into oral and poster presentation prizes.
Criteria
- Abstract – Statement of problem, objectives, principal findings
- Presentation – Clarity, visual aids, organization
- Scientific merit – Experimental design, innovative approach, and interpretation of data
- Overall knowledge and response to questions
- Demonstrated potential to pursue graduate studies and research
Science Atlantic Science Communication Award
The prize is awarded to the student who is best able to communicate a science topic to their peers. The award may be split into two prizes (one for an oral and one for a poster presentation) at the discretion of the judging committee.
The award consists of a letter of commendation, a cash prize and the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Atlantic Student Research Journal (ASRJ) team to write and publish an article about the winner’s research.
Note on the ASRJ editorial process: The Science Atlantic team will connect the winner with the Editor-in-Chief at the ASRJ. One of the ASRJ team members will work with the winner and direct them along the article creation process. Articles typically include an introduction of the researcher and their field of study, a description of the research and a discussion relating to the importance of the research. Once the article has been approved it will be added to the ASRJ queue for publication. Once added, it can take between two weeks and two months to be published, depending on the current rate of article production.
Judging
Each conference organizing committee determines the judging committee membership. Some committees involve students, some have a ballot vote of all conference attendees, and some are professors in the discipline.
The judging committee has the right to not give an award in any competition. If there are fewer than three students eligible to compete for this award at any conference, the award may not be disbursed. The decision of the judges is final.
Award (cash prize) sponsored by
Science Atlantic
Award (writing opportunity) sponsored by the Atlantic Student Research Journal
The Atlantic Student Research Journal (ASRJ) is a student-led initiative working to facilitate knowledge translation and develop the student-scientist network. Primarily, the ASRJ works with researchers and students to communicate their research, increase awareness and provide additional opportunity for student involvement. It also maintains a researcher directory, job board, and the Opportunity Centre. The ASRJ aims to inspire and support students and local researchers to develop the research ecosystem in Atlantic Canada.