Scifest 'science idol' category winners announced

Three winners have been announced in the 2012 Scifest Science Idol competition in their age group category from 8 -14 yrs, 15-21 yrs and 22+ and win a brand new iPad thanks to KlabLab. The Science Idol competition is part of the New Zealand International Science Festival themed ‘what makes us tick?’ taking place in Dunedin from 30 June to 8 July 2012.

The ‘grand prize winner’ in the Science Idol competition will be announced on Friday 6 July at 7pm and perform live with US Science Rapper Tom McFadden at a public festival event ‘whose science is it anyway?’

Twenty-seven submissions were made from across New Zealand, with 11 finalists selected and their clips can be viewed on www.scifest.org.nz.

Tom McFadden says it was fantastic to get entries from science lovers from all corners of New Zealand. “I was really proud of the creativity and scientific swagger shown by all.”

Ella Cameron, 13, a student at Tahuna Normal Intermediate in Dunedin won the 8-14 year category with her fun filled and factual rhyming clip ‘The Heart Goes Boom’.

James Mustapic, 16, a student at John McGlashan College in Dunedin won the 15-21 year category, creating a scientific musical parody from Justin Bieber’s latest release with his clip ‘Covalent Love’.

Justin Lee Tripp, a science teacher originally from the US, now teaching in Nelson won the 22+ year category using innovative visual techniques and lyrics in his clip ‘Auditory System’.

The three winners are now competing for the grand prize following a New Zealand wide Science Idol tour to promote the competition courtesy of the US Embassy. The tour included visits to primary and intermediate schools by US science rapper, Fulbright graduate fellow and University of Otago masters student Tom McFadden aka The Rhymebosome.  The judging panel consisted of Tom McFadden and festival associate director Laura Madden.  Judging criteria included critiquing scientific content, lyrical ingenuity and performance of song.

As part of the grand prize, the winner will come to Dunedin to professionally record their audio in the world class recording console at the University of Otago’s Albany Street studio.

The winner will also shoot a music video and perform live with Tom McFadden as Scifest celebrates “whose science is it anyway?” in Dunedin on Friday 6 July at 7.00pm - 8.30pm at the University of Otago College of Education Auditorium, Union Street East, Dunedin.

This event is a part debate, part theatre sports event with plenty of audience participation and laughs. Festival guests will include Nigel Latta, Mayor Dave Cull and Prof Richie Poulton as the festival closing is celebrated with a night looking at ‘wisdom of age vs. enthusiasm of youth’ suitable for all ages.

“The finalists selected in the 2012 Scifest Science Idol competition exceeded all expectations in terms of content and the ability to take an aspect of science and communicate it in an entertaining and relevant way,” said judge and associate festival director Laura Madden.

A full programme and booking details to all festival events are on www.scifest.org.nz

The 2012 New Zealand International Science Festival is sponsored by two major funding partners, the University of Otago and the Dunedin City Council.