ASTRONOMY

The Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) announced the winners of Science Chronicles 2010 at an Awards Ceremony held in Fusionopolis

Science Chronicles is a short story writing competition for science fiction, piloted and organised by IHPC since 2008. The aims of this competition is to encourage students in Singapore to push boundaries in the art of science-fiction narration and writing, as well as foster a new breed of scientific thinkers who can combine their understanding of science, technology and their numerous application, with the art of imaginative storytelling.

Targetted at students in secondary schools and junior colleges, participants had to submit an original story between 1,500 to 3,000 words. Science Chronicles 2010 had 154 entries from 30 schools. Many of our young writers wrote believable scenarios with scientific concepts and applications woven into its storylines, while exploring the impact on the human condition through its protagonists. The winners received their prizes from Prof. Charles Zukoski, Chairman of A*STAR’s Science and Engineering Research Council.

Prof Zukoski said, “It was a delightful experience to read the stories written by our students. Most, if not all, of the science fiction themes have been covered – from advanced robots and artificial intelligence, bio-engineering, cryogenetics, time travels, exploration of new worlds and frontiers, societies in the future with advanced technologies to breakthroughs in bio-medical science. We are very pleased that this competition is able to showcase promising writers, who can make use of scientific nowledge to generate ideas on science and technology through their imaginative and yet complex, literary creations. ”

The submitted entries were first assessed on their science content by a panel of researchers from IHPC, who grew up reading science fiction stories themselves before embarking on a career in science and engineering. The shortlisted stories were next assessed by a panel of judges comprising published fiction writers and lecturers in English Literature, creative writing and creative thinking.

Dr Raj. Thampuran, Executive Director of IHPC added, “So much of our imagination has been captured, and cultures shaped, by the many talented science fiction writers who have written about technologies, exploration and inventions. In many ways these have served to inspire scientists and inventors to (re)create them years later when science and technology have caught up with imagination. Science Chronicles is our effort to nurture a generation of young writers inspired by science fiction and futures unimagined. These writers will look at our world beyond their science textbooks and create a world of plentiful opportunities."

The winning stories for Science Chronicles 2010 will be made available on-line from Monday, 12 July at www.ihpc-outreach.sg/sciencechronicles/

For more information or request for media interviews, please contact : Ms Joanne Tan, Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications at Tel: 6419 1422 or email: tanjpg@scei.a-star.edu.sg.