Cancer Research UK challenges teens to get podcasting

Cancer Research UK launches its first ever on March 5, giving teenagers across the UK the chance to air their views about a range of hot topics. The top three podcasts will be featured on the charity’s website, as well as winning their creators one of three fantastic prizes.

Launched ahead of the Easter holidays, the marks the start of National Science and Engineering Week (7-16 March 2008). SciencePod challenges students aged 14 to 16 to explore controversial issues in health and science and create a short podcast about the impact they have on people’s lives. Students can choose between four topics: ‘Should under 18s be allowed to use sunbeds?’; ‘Is the cervical cancer vaccine a good idea?’; ‘Should smoking be totally banned?’ and ‘Diet and cancer: does it matter what we eat?’

Entries will be judged by a panel of expert podcasters, including BBC Radio One drivetime presenter, DJ Scott Mills, The Guardian’s science journalist, Alok Jha, and Cancer Research UK’s Dr Kat Arney, who presents the charity’s monthly podcast.

The competition is open to GCSE students and links in with the Science, English, Media and Citizenship curricula. To find out how to take part, visit now for details. The closing date is 30 April, making the Easter holidays the perfect time for teens to research and record their podcasts.

Radio One DJ, Scott Mills said: “I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in podcasting right from the start. I’ve always loved new technologies and communication – and podcasting combines both.”

The competition reflects the increase in the use of podcasting as a method of communicating science in schools, by scientific research organisations* and the media. By encouraging students to develop the creative and technical skills necessary to take part, Cancer Research UK is helping to equip future scientists and journalists with new techniques to communicate their work.

Sam Codrington, science teacher at St Benedict’s School, Ealing said: “Science can be so exciting if you make it relevant to young people. Like a good radio programme, science podcasting should encourage debate and catch listeners’ attention.”

Competition organiser, Cancer Research UK’s Josephine Querido, said: “Science is continually changing and developing, as is the technology available to help us communicate it. We need to give young people the skills to research and debate evidence and think about the impact it will have on their lives and the decisions they make.”

To enter and find out more go to: .

For media enquiries please contact the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 7061 8300 or, out of hours, the duty press officer on 07050 264059.