NAU undergraduate students are encouraged to enter an annual essay writing competition challenging them to write about science and technology.
Up to three awards are given each year in NAU’s annual Louis Agassiz Prize for Excellence in Writing. The first-place prize is $1,500. Second place will receive $1,000 and third place is awarded $500.
Students from all disciplines are encouraged to write an essay of no more than 2,000 words that addresses this year’s theme, Louis Agassiz and Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Agassiz was an outspoken opponent of Darwin’s theory of evolution, even though Darwin cited Agassiz’s work as evidence in favor of the theory. Consider Agassiz himself as the reader of your essay in which you provide good reason to think the theory of evolution is true.
Essays will be judged on the originality of ideas, persuasiveness, clarity and elegance of language.
Entries must be received electronically by Jan. 22. For information, visit www.cefns.nau.edu/agassiz.