AIAA SF, P.O. Box 1548, Mountain View, CA 94042-1548

THE SAN FRANCISCO SECTION OF THE
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS (AIAA)
INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
National Annual Essay Contest
for students in Seventh and Eighth Grade in the San Francisco Bay Area

THEME

Choose a science fiction movie and discuss how scientifically realistic the ideas and scenes are.

REQUIREMENTS

• Double-spaced, typewritten (size 12 font) essay in 1000 words or less.
• Student name, teacher name, and school name must be written in the top right hand corner of the essay.
• Please include person-in-charge contact information for notification.

JUDGING CRITERIA

• a) Originality and realism of ideas presented
• b) Soundness of logic used to develop ideas
• c) Quality of composition and clarity of expression

(Note: All decisions by the judges are final.)

PRIZES

At each grade level:

• Names and essays published for viewing by the San Francisco bay area aerospace community
• Winning essays submitted to Aerospace America magazine
• Certificate of achievement
• Entry into the national AIAA Space Systems Technical Committee (SSTC) essay contest for $500 prize and national recognition. Winners of the SSTC contest win an additional $250 for their classroom.
• Other local prizes may be announced upon availability of sponsorship

ELIGIBILITY

Any seventh or eighth grader enrolled in a school in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, or Sonoma counties.

DEADLINE

Essays must be received by March 20, 2012. Late essays will not be accepted. Mail entries to:

Winners will be notified through the submitted contact information in early April.

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS

Email Larissa Noutong: noutongl(at) gmail.com

RESOURCES

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction_film
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_about_outer_space