As a way of raising awareness and interest in mining among junior high and high school students in Nova Scotia, Canada, a provincial industry group is offering over $8000 in cash prizes to kids with some basic video skills.
The Mining ROCKS! contest, now in its fourth year, hopes to inspire children to learn about the industry, get creative and win big, Sean Kirby, executive director of the Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS) said in a statement.
Mining Association of Nova Scotia is offering $1,000 to each winner in five different categories, with $500 going to the runner-up.
The popular competition is offering $1,000 to each winner in five different categories, with $500 going to the runner-up.
Students are encouraged to use wide-ranging approaches to explain, illustrate, dramatize and emphasize the many uses of minerals and the industry’s importance to Nova Scotia. After all, mining in the Atlantic province dates back to 1672, with a few coal and gold companies recently restarting and opening mines in the area in the past two years.
“The videos can be about virtually any aspect of mining and quarrying, including its economic importance, environment and reclamation, historical facts and beneficial end-uses of mining products,” Kirby said.
“This contest helps students gain a greater understanding of the importance and economic benefits of mining in our province,” Natural Resources Minister Margaret Miller noted.
Students will upload their 1-to-3 minute video or a 30 second commercial to the MANS website and a panel of judges, who are mainly independent of the industry, will pick the winners for the Best Junior High School Video, Best High School Video, Best Comedy and Best 30-Second Commercial. The public will decide who the winner of the fifth category is by voting online, in what’s known as the People’s Choice award.
The judging panel includes Margaret Miller, Minister of Natural Resources, Membertou Chief Terry Paul, as well as several accomplished film and media professionals.
Last year, the contest received 22 video contributions from all over the province. There were 1,848 votes for the People’s Choice prize.
See contest details and rules here.
