This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.
The Ontario Mining Association’s high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining, which is now in its fourth year, continues to attract more entries. Momentum keeps building with dramatic increases in the level of participation of every edition. This year, more than 135 videos were received, which is approximately 70% more than the 80-plus last year.
Video entries arrived electronically from all parts of the province and students from high schools we had not seen SYTYKM entries from previously have been received for the judges’ consideration. “We try every year to keep the SYTYKM video competition fresh and interesting for students and educators,” said OMA President Chris Hodgson. “It is gratifying to see this response. We know these students invest a great deal of creativity, energy and time into making their productions.”
This year’s competition is making available opportunities to win $33,500 in prize money, an $8,000 increase of what was on the table last year. Several entries eligible for the Early Bird draw for $500 were received by March 1. Other key dates in 2012 are April 1 to 15 for the determination of nominees for the People’s Choice and OMA Academy Award, April 20 to June 3, which is the voting period for the People’s Choice Award, and May 22 when winners will be determined and notified.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 5 in Toronto at the Royal Ontario Museum. New this year is a Best 30 Second Commercial award for $2,500 and a new OMA Academy Award for $2,500, which will be determined by OMA members. Along with the $5,000 prize for Best Overall Video, plus $500 to the winner’s school, there are $2,500 prizes for First Runner Up for Best Overall Video, Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Music, Best Comedy, Best Animated Video, Best Video in a language other than English and the People’s Choice Award.
Also, any school which has three or more entries will be eligible for a draw to win $2,000 to purchase video equipment. It looks like there is a large pool of candidates for this prize in 2012. In addition, the producers of one entry will be selected to film the SYTYKM awards ceremony for the OMA website. The producers and their school will each receive $500.
“It is encouraging to see young people become more aware of the role and the importance of mining,” said Mr. Hodgson. “Students have produced videos on the economic contributions of the industry, its environmental record, end uses of mineral products and the role of minerals in building a green economy for the future.”
SYTYKM is supported by comprehensive web-based resources, a blog and on Twitter. Contest details, entry forms, technical requirements for submitting videos, production ideas and past winners and award ceremonies are all available on the OMA website.
We will keep you posted and let you know who will be on the red carpet accepting SYTYKM statuettes and trophies June 5, 2012 at the Royal Ontario Museum for the SYTYKM awards gala.
March 21, 2012
The value of mineral production in Ontario in 2011 was $10.6 billion.