Young Researchers’ Network sponsors IPY photo, video contest

Submitted by Jenn Wagaman
Phone: 907-474-5082
12/11/08

The University of Alaska International Polar Year Young Researchers’ Network is sponsoring a photo and video contest to encourage photographers and videographers to document today’s Alaska.

"International Polar Year is our chance to show Alaska to the world," says network member and contest organizer Kelly Newman. "We want to collect as many photos and videos from young people today as we can and preserve them so that they can provide a snapshot of Alaska to future IPY participants."

The contest is open to both students and the public and will culminate in a digital archive for use by future International Polar Year participants. Photos and videos may be submitted through Feb. 16, 2009 in the following categories: discovering the Arctic, my life in the North, Alaska’s inconvenient truths and experiencing the wild.

A panel of experts will judge entries. Winners will be showcased in a film and photo festival to be held this spring in Fairbanks. Prizes will be awarded in both student and non-student categories. Winners will receive a gift certificate to B&H photo and video supply store or to Amazon.com.

Contest guidelines can be found at akshorts.blogspot.com. The University of Alaska IPY Young Researchers’ Network is powered by young scientists from UA campuses across the state and aims to take science off campus through outreach to the public and students of Alaska. For more information about the network, visit ipy-youth.uaf.edu.

CONTACT: Kelly Newman at ftkan@uaf.edu or call 474-5IPY. Jenn Wagaman, UAF Center for Research Services public information officer, at 907-474-5082 or via e-mail at jenn@alaska.edu.

JW/12-11-08/071-09