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The ASHG DNA Day Essay Contest is an international competition for high school students (grades 9-12) worldwide, encouraging exploration and reflection on genetics concepts through an essay with a yearly updated prompt, judged through multiple scoring rounds and held entirely online. It is free to enter.
The DNA Day Essay Contest is an international competition organized by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) to celebrate National DNA Day. It invites high school students worldwide to write original, well-reasoned essays about current topics in genetics. The contest promotes deep understanding of genetics, critical thinking, and scientific writing, providing students an opportunity to explore the impact of genetics on human health and society while competing for monetary awards and recognition.
Preparation typically involves several weeks researching, writing, and revising a 750-word essay. The competition submission window is about two months, and judging is completed by National DNA Day, with results announced then.
Essays are evaluated by ASHG members over three rounds of judging using a detailed rubric scoring up to 20 points total: accuracy of science content (0-6), use of evidence relevant to the question (0-6), writing quality including grammar and composition (0-5), and quality of references and citations (0-3). The top essays proceed through rounds until winners and honorable mentions are selected.
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