Neuroscience Research Prize

Sponsors Objectivies Eligibility Judging Criteria

Purpose Awards Finalists

Sponsors

The AAN, the AAN Foundation, and the Child Neurology Society sponsor this award.

Purpose

This award was established to encourage high school students to explore the world of the brain and nervous system through laboratory research.

Objectives

To identify and reward high school students whose scientific skill and talent indicate potential for scientific contributions in the field of neuroscience.

To recognize the efforts of science teachers who have demonstrated support for students interested in neuroscience.

Awards

All entries will be reviewed by a panel of physicians and scientists who are actively engaged in neuroscience research at academic institutions throughout the US. Four prize winners will be selected through two rounds of competition.

Four winners will each receive a $1,000 prize. Three winners and their teachers will receive an all-expense paid, three-day trip to present their work during a scientific poster session at the AAN 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, ON, Canada—the world’s largest gathering of neurologists. One winner and his/her teacher will receive an all-expense paid, three-day trip to present his/her work at the Child Neurology Society 39th Annual Meeting in Providence, RI.

Eligibility

• Students must be enrolled in secondary school (grades 9-12) in the United States, regardless of age
• Applications must represent original laboratory research as well as the original written work of the applicant
• Each project should be the work of an individual student; group projects are not eligible (teachers are encouraged to provide guidance as needed, but must allow each student to demonstrate his/her own creativity)
• Family members of the judges, the AAN Science Committee, or AAN staff are not eligible to apply

Judging Criteria

All project entries received by the deadline date will be judged by physician and scientist members of the American Academy of Neurology based on the following criteria:

Relevance to Neuroscience

The problem being investigated concerns the brain or the nervous system including, but not limited to: anatomy, physiology, pathology, function, and behavior. Behavior and psychology projects are not encouraged unless there is a clear link to neurophysiology.

Creativity

Creativity will be based on the originality of the problem solving approach, even if the specific problem being addressed is not a new or unusual one.

Interpretation of Data

The scope of the hypothesis and methodology is feasible. The potential significance of the experiments is placed in the proper perspective. Potential pitfalls of the methodology or interpretation have been addressed.

Research Reports

The report is organized, well-written, and the accompanying figures and tables are clearly labeled and readable.

Communication Skills

The student is able to discuss the project and defend the stated conclusions effectively in an oral interview.

Finalists

The ten finalists will have the opportunity to discuss their project through telephone interviews with at least two judges. The winners will be selected based on overall written and verbal performance.

Deadline

The 2010 awards deadline has passed.

For more information, please contact Erin Jackson at ejackson@aan.com or (651) 695-2704.