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Contacts: Steffen Schmidt, Political Science, (515) 294-3825 Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720, [email protected]
ISU WEB DESIGN CONTEST PROMOTES KNOWLEDGE OF POLITICS, GOVERNMENT
AMES, Iowa -- An Iowa State University political science professor has launched a web page design contest to promote knowledge of American government. The contest is offering more than $40,000 in full tuition scholarships to high school and community college students.
The web page for the design contest can be found at http//www.admissions.iastate.edu/contest/
The creator of the contest is Steffen Schmidt, ISU professor of political science. He can be reached at [email protected], or phone, (515) 294-3825.
"Students are completely dropping out of politics," said Schmidt. "The statistics all point to cynicism, declining participation, dropping young people's voter turnout and decreasing knowledge about government and politics.
"Getting students to speak about politics with their voice from their zone of interest through web design might help us understand what could turn them on to public life and political participation."
Prizes include several Iowa State University four-year, full tuition scholarships ($20,000 and $10,000) for high school and community college students. Prize also will be given to teachers who serve as mentors.
The contest is aimed at high school students, grades 11-12, and full-time community college or junior college students.
Students must design web sites around topics or subjects covered in honors or Advanced Placement high school American government classes. Sites also should contain legitimate academic content and be a teaching/learning tool.
Contest deadline is Feb. 1, 1999.
Information about the contest has already been sent to government and political science teachers at more than 5,000 high schools across the country, as well as deans and faculty at 200 community and junior colleges.
All winning web sites will be published on ISU's web site.
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