Categories

See the NSF Science Visualization Challenge "Frequently Asked Questions" website for more specifics on electronic media.

• Photographs/Pictures—Film or digital photographs and photomicrographs, as well as images obtained from electron microscopes, STMs, AFMs, telescopes, sensors and similar instruments.
• Illustrations/Drawings/Paintings—Traditional or computer-assisted illustrations and drawings produced to conceptualize the unseen or recreate an object, process or phenomenon (technique). Illustrations and drawings rely primarily on the created image to convey meaning. Illustrations do not have text.
• Informational/Explanatory Graphics—Computer-assisted illustrations or graphics produced to instruct/interpret highly technical information into art that teaches. An informational graphic is more explanatory by nature and relies heavily on data and often text to convey a message. An informational graphic may incorporate a photographic image or an illustration into the overall presentation in order to convey the intended message. Typically incorporates text as an integral part of the illustration or graphic.
• Three-Dimensional – Sculpture, origami or other non-2D formats that have scientific, mathematical or technical relevance.
• Interactive Media—Multimedia designed for interaction. Entry must be able to be manipulated by the judges. The DVD selection menu does not make it interactive media (NOT a movie demonstrating an interactive media). This differs from non-interactive media because it is self-guided.
• Non-Interactive Media—Multimedia not designed for interaction. Do not exceed 5 minutes total running time.

Eligible Entries

• Produced or commissioned by illustrators, scientists, engineers, research groups or institutions – individually or in teams.
• Only one entry by an individual or a team in each category.
• Clearly designates a category.
• Submission materials must be typed or printed clearly.
• Submission materials must be in English.

Ineligible Entries

• Entries submitted in multiple categories.
• Submissions from publishing companies, advertising agencies or public relations firms, or that market, advertise or promote a commercial product (although a segment of a commercial piece may be submitted if it does not promote the product).
• Illegible submission materials.
• Proprietary formats.