Download a PDF of the Contest Specs
HENRIETTA LACKS ESSAY CONTEST
Entry:
Entries due by December 16, 2011.
Submit by e-mail to: tate.hurvitz@gcccd.edu.
Submission Requirement:
Scholarly Content:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is an account of the relationship between "Henrietta Lacks" the person and the "HeLa cells," the cultured cell line derived from her cancer. This story can be read at many levels including, but not limited to, ones that are social, historical, ethical, educational, scientific and spiritual. Choosing one or more of these contexts as the focus of your discussion, consider what is/are the most compelling question(s) raised by the story of the Henrietta Lacks, her cells and her legacy.
You may reflect and write about this book directly, or you may use it as a springboard into a discussion of another text or modern dilemma related to any of the issues introduced in this book.
You may cite outside sources, but it is not a requirement.
Length:
Your essay should be 1200-1500 words.
Regional Judges
Jeffrey Kirsch, Director of the Fleet Science Center
Grant Barrett, A Way With Words
Bill Higgins, President of the Board of Directors of ACLU for San Diego and Imperial Counties
Judging Criteria
Essays that meet the Submission Requirement will be scored on the four criteria listed below.
Significance: Identify and address a challenge that is of significant concern in the area of
science and/or social justice stemming from your reading of The Immortal Life of Henrietta
Lacks.
Social and/or Ethical principles: Explicitly identify the principles that are relevant and
important to your consideration of the issue(s).
Stakeholders: Identify those who are directly or indirectly affected by the conduct or
products in question, and explain why.
Solution: Explore one or more solutions (general or specific) to the ethical/social dilemma(s),
(at least) briefly detailing some of its/their likely implications.
Prizes:
The winning essay on the Grossmont College campus will automatically be submitted for consideration in the regional competition, which will also include essayists from UCSD, SDSU, USD, CSU San Marcos, and Point Loma Nazarene College.
Grossmont Awards
1st Prize - $300
2nd Prize - $150
3rd Prize - $50
Regional Awards
1st Prize - $600
2nd Prize - $300
3rd Prize - $100
Tate Hurvitz
Project Director
Email: Tate.Hurvitz@gcccd.edu
8800 Grossmont College Drive
El Cajon, California 92020
619-644-7000
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