Sparky Awards give students chance to enter videos for prize money, resume building
Penn State students are invited to produce a video entry for the 2009 Sparky Awards, organized by the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC).
The videos should be no longer than two minutes and illustrate what you see as the value of sharing information. The overall Sparky Awards is an international competition but Penn State entries will be part of a local Sparky Awards at the University. ”The Sparky Awards challenges students to illustrate what they see as the value of information sharing,” said Hannah Inzko, Digital Commons University Park coordinator and coordinator of the Sparky Awards at Penn State.
The winners of the international contest get a check for $1,000, while the runner-up and “People’s Choice” winner each receive $500. Locally, the best entries at Penn State receive:
• A special showing at a catered event at University Park in spring 2010
• Special prizes such as gift certificates to the Computer Store
• Being featured on WPSU's On-Demand channel, which can be viewed via Comcast Cable's On-Demand service across a five-state region
• A chance to be featured at the Penn State Student Film Festival
Inzko said that along with the prizes, the Sparky Awards can help students get started with their careers. “This is an international video competition. Besides being very cool if you won, it would be a great resume builder, even for just entering,” she said.
To help students get started, Inzko said, the Digital Commons is offering help. Along with a special Sparky Awards Video Contest workshop November 6, the Digital Commons offers a series of workshops on creating digital media. The Digital Commons also offers access to equipment and personal assistance at all of their campus locations.
“Media Tech Services at University Park will let you borrow video cameras,” Inzko said. “You can also borrow a Flip Mino HD video camera from the Digital Commons at most Commonwealth campuses. It’s a good idea to call ahead, so you can confirm availability.”
The Sparky Awards at Penn State is a collaboration between Digital Commons (a service of Information Technology Services), the University Libraries, the College of Communications, and Penn State Public Broadcasting (WPSU). Deadline for entries to the Sparky Awards is Dec. 9. To learn more and to enter, go to http://digitalcommons.psu.edu/sparkyawards.
