Education Corner

The RCSB PDB invites high school students to create short videos that tell a story about HIV/AIDS using molecules from the PDB.

All qualified submissions will be eligible for awards.

HIV and AIDS have been the focus of intense scientific study for over three decades. Findings from these studies have contributed to our current understanding of the disease and helped design ways to treat it. In particular, atomic level structures of HIV/AIDS-related proteins have played an important role in the discovery of many treatments. With today's combination therapies, HIV/AIDS has become a manageable chronic illness. However, cases of new HIV infection continue to be reported, demanding broader awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS.

What is the challenge?

Create a brief video (two-minutes or less) focused on any topic related to the structural biology of HIV/AIDS, such as:

• The partial or complete life cycle of HIV
• HIV vs the human immune system – presenting the scenario of what likely happens in an individual upon exposure to HIV
• HIV testing – to detect infection and as a follow-up during anti-HIV treatment
• Anti-HIV treatment options and the challenges of drug resistance
• HIV vaccines
• HIV and cancer
• Any other aspects of HIV/AIDS of interest

The video must include a visualization/animation of two or more molecular structures from the PDB. All images, animations and narrative used in the video should be original.

Who can participate?

All high school students who are legal residents of the United States are eligible to participate in the challenge.

Students new to the subject are strongly encouraged to participate.

How to participate?

1. Create a 2 minute video. Detailed upload instructions for participants will be posted at PDB-101 early in 2014.
2. Each entry must be accompanied by the name and contact information of the teacher/faculty member from the participant's high school. Teacher/faculty members may sponsor multiple entries.
3. No purchase is necessary to participate or win in this challenge

Important Dates

Awards

All qualified submissions will be eligible to win one or more of the following:

• JUDGE'S AWARD
  A panel of expert judges will review the videos by looking at overall impact, scientific content, concept, originality, creativity, entertainment value, and production quality. The top three entries will be recognized on rcsb.org and in an upcoming Education Corner.


• VIEWER'S CHOICE AWARD
  As voted by the viewers.
  
  
• SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AWARD
  Videos with scientifically accurate content and interesting presentation will be forwarded to the AIDS Education Training Center (AETC) National Resource Center for consideration as material for training health care professionals, patients and their families. Selected entries may receive separate recognition.