Student DVD contest to promote H1N1 awareness
Megan Smith
Issue date: 9/16/09 Section: News
The University of Rhode Island's Harrington School of Communication is passing along the dangers of swine flu to students, through students.
The HSC is sponsoring the H1N1 Public Service Announcement Competition for URI students with an interest in film, health or the glory of winning.
Students can work individually or in teams to create a 30-60 second public service announcement on DVD about the H1N1 virus. The finished product will educate students on the real facts linked to the possible pandemic.
The idea for this contest abounded at a recent Council of Deans meeting, where Director of Health Services Chad Henderson expressed his concerns that students might not be as aware of the dangers presented by H1N1 as they should be.
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Winnie Brownell suggested the goal of the public service announcement competition should supply students with information in a style geared specifically to their age group and lifestyles.
Brownell said that in addition to information from URI, government Web sites and resources such as the Centers for Disease Control were also available.
Brownell and Henderson's objective is to have students create visual imagery to raise awareness and to help minimize the spread of the virus.
"This competition provides an opportunity for students to apply their creative talents to a real life problem," Brownell said. "I would encourage students to work on a team that includes interdisciplinary expertise."
A panel of health and film experts will judge the entries and award the top three contestants with monetary prizes. The first place winner will receive $300 and the second and third place winners will receive $200 and $100.
In addition, students will have the opportunity to have their work broadcasted.
Brownell said winning entries would make an excellent addition to a student's resume.
Students can pick up entry forms in room 257 of the Chafee Social Science Center. The deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. on Sept. 28.
The HSC is sponsoring the H1N1 Public Service Announcement Competition for URI students with an interest in film, health or the glory of winning.
Students can work individually or in teams to create a 30-60 second public service announcement on DVD about the H1N1 virus. The finished product will educate students on the real facts linked to the possible pandemic.
The idea for this contest abounded at a recent Council of Deans meeting, where Director of Health Services Chad Henderson expressed his concerns that students might not be as aware of the dangers presented by H1N1 as they should be.
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Winnie Brownell suggested the goal of the public service announcement competition should supply students with information in a style geared specifically to their age group and lifestyles.
Brownell said that in addition to information from URI, government Web sites and resources such as the Centers for Disease Control were also available.
Brownell and Henderson's objective is to have students create visual imagery to raise awareness and to help minimize the spread of the virus.
"This competition provides an opportunity for students to apply their creative talents to a real life problem," Brownell said. "I would encourage students to work on a team that includes interdisciplinary expertise."
A panel of health and film experts will judge the entries and award the top three contestants with monetary prizes. The first place winner will receive $300 and the second and third place winners will receive $200 and $100.
In addition, students will have the opportunity to have their work broadcasted.
Brownell said winning entries would make an excellent addition to a student's resume.
Students can pick up entry forms in room 257 of the Chafee Social Science Center. The deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. on Sept. 28.
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