Saturn from Cassini. Click for larger. Image credit(s): NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute

YAY!!  The Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest for 2011 is on!

If you are a US student in grades 5 to 12 or a teacher or a parent I encourage you to participate in one way or another.  I especially would encourage the young ladies to participate.  I keep hearing how girls don’t do as well in science as boys and I firmly believe that is a load of …. well you get the idea

Don’t let that “Essay” part scare you off, it’s only 500 words about on of three interesting imaging targets: Saturn or the moons Hyperion, Rhea & Titan.  A mere 500 words should be pretty easy actually especially since you don’t have to do it on your own, you can work in groups of up to four.

Easy breezy right?  Sure it is.  Winners get to participate in a teleconference with Cassini Scientists and engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and EVERYBODY receives a certificate of participation.  Hey talk about an easy “A” at the school science fair!!

I am here to help in any way I can too.

You have plenty of time but I’d not drag my feet too much the contest deadline is noon (Pacific Time) on October 26, 2011.  Don’t worry I’ll repeat this post a few times before now and then to remind you.  Yes I know most students are on vacation still, but think of this as a fun personal project you can use to your advantage once school does begin.

To find out more visit the Cassini Scientist for a Day website and you can send inquiries about the contest to: scientistforaday@jpl.nasa.gov.