HOLD THE FRONT PAGE: We want you to rewrite the headlines!

Ever wondered how findings go from a research lab to headline news?

When we pick up a newspaper or read news stories online, we hope that the reporting is fair and accurate. Many times it is, BUT sometimes the reporter, the press officer or even the researcher can get it wrong! With stories based on research findings there are a few potential weak points in the process where inaccuracies can sneak in.

We want to help young people get a better understanding of the journey from “lab to headline”, so they can more confidently judge any research stories they might come across.

To do that, we’ve launched a new competition for Scottish primary schoolchildren in P5-P7 and undergraduate students called Rewrite the Headlines.

If you want to explore how research is translated from specialist areas to the media coverage we read every day, then the competition is for you!

Do you think you or your class can “Rewrite the Headlines”?

Competition for primary schools

If your school signs up, we’ll help you run a workshop to explore how research gets into the media. After that, your job will be to give a recent news story your own headline. The school with the best headline will win books or technology of their choice up to the value of £1000, and there are prizes for the runner-up classes too.

The teacher and class will also be invited to the awards ceremony in January 2016. So don’t delay, take part today.

For all teachers…click here for more information about the competition.

Parents should either contact their child’s school and ask them to register for the competition, or contact us and we’ll liaise with the school directly.

Competition for undergraduate students

If you are an undergraduate student at a Scottish university, Rewrite the Headlines is for you too. The top prize is a new Microsoft Surface Pro 4.

Click here to find out how you can enter to win some great prizes, including your entry appearing on our main Research the Headlines website. Undergraduate deadline extended to 11 January 2016.

Rewrite the Headlines is a competition for pupils at primary schools in Scotland and undergraduates at Scottish universities. It is run by the Research the Headlines team, supported by funding from the British Academy and additional funding from the University of Strathclyde.

For more detailed information, go to our Terms and Conditions.