News

September 2006

Lexmark encourages students to discover new vistas related to mathematics and science

The annual AAPT/Lexmark High School Photo Contest organized by the Lexmark International and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT ) is a splendid attempt to inspire students to find or rediscover the wonders of mathematics and science, especially physics. It also supports students and teachers across the world. The flagging interest in math and science among students can only be revived if the practical relationship of the subjects to our daily lives can be highlighted. This is what the organizers believe in as most of the finest engineers employed by Lexmark have been influenced by the love for these subjects. Contests like these motivate students to be curious about the mechanisms of our world, which might lead to increase in the number of scientists and engineers in the future.

Lexmark and AAPT have recently announced the results of this years contest at the annual AAPT Summer Meeting in Syracuse, N.Y. The contest requires high school students across the world to submit a photo illustrating an interesting physics phenomenon. They have to take the photo themselves and write a summary of the physical concept behind the image. There are two categories to which the photos can be submitted – natural (any situation that the student has observed) and contrived (wherein desired situations can be created by manipulating objects). The photos are then judges on the basis of quality and appropriateness and accurateness of the attached summary. This opportunity provides clarity to the students in their application of physics in everyday life through photography skills.

Each of the winners of this year’s contest was awarded with a Lexmark P6250 inkjet printer in addition to a monetary prize. Select photos will be featured in the AAPT/Lexmark calendar, which will be distributed this fall. However, all the photos will be displayed in Phase IV of Lexmark’s national philanthropy program PrintArt, which will be released early in 2007. Lexmark donates educational software, supplemental lesson plans and Lexmark printers to support art education, through this charitable program.

The winners of this year’s contest are: