Dance Your Science

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"Refitting repasts: a spatial exploration of food processing, sharing, cooking, and disposal at the Dunefield Midden campsite, South Africa."
Brian Stewart and Giulia Saltini-Semerari
Science

If you couldn't stop twitching your pipetman to the crazy Euro-molecule party a couple posts back, or that anthropomorphic Orangina ad, or the Eppendorf boy band, you may have what it takes to win AAAS' Science Dance Contest.

The 2008 contest was a small-scale affair in Vienna, a prelude to a performance by the scientist-DJs Molecular Code. You can watch winner Brian Stewart & the other competitors (as well as Molecular Code performances) here. This year, the contest is global, with YouTube as the forum. The rules are pretty simple:

The contest is open to anyone who has (or is pursuing) a Ph.D. in any scientific field, such as physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, anthropology, or in science-related fields such as mathematics, engineering, linguistics, bioethics, the history of science, etc. regardless of whether you've remained in academia.

1. Make a video of your own Ph.D. dance.

2. Post the video on YouTube. In the video's information box, include your Ph.D. title and any relevant information (scientific or artistic) that you'd like to share.

3. Not later than 23:00 EST 16 November 2008, email your name; current affiliation and status; the title of your Ph.D., university where it is earned, and completion date; and the Internet link to your Ph.D. dance video to: gonzo@aaas.org

be careful though: if you win, you're letting yourself in for a "Dancing with the Stars"-style performance at the 2009 AAAS Annual Meeting! So don't dance your science without complete commitment.

Read the complete rules here.

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Well Jess, you're fully qualified to enter this contest and it seems to me that you've opened the door. Let me know when you post it to YouTube, I really want to see it.

And just in case you need incentive, I not only double dog dare you, I think you'd be magnificent.

DM, I think you should dance too. I mean, if Chad's dancing a monkey dance, what's your excuse??

wunx - your confidence in me is thrilling, but I just came from dance class, and I am no where near ready for prime time. Plus thinking about my thesis makes me want to run, not dance. ;)