MPA delighted to announce old Award reinstated

The Marsden Old Girls Association is delighted to announce the reinstatement of a previous award: the Jean Gilmer Award for scientific illustration. This is named after Marsden Old Girl, Jean Knox Gilmer (pictured above).

The Award was originally started in about 1959 for an herbarium (collection of dried plant specimen and notes) or ecological survey, however there is no record of the award after 1984. 

This award will link the past: a past student, a previous award and historical recording of observations to current practice, particularly in cross curricular learning.

The Jean Gilmer Award is a beautiful Nautilus shell

As you can see above this is a beautiful trophy - a Nautilus shell, which has a plaque to be engraved with each winner's name. This is very delicate and will stay at school but the winner will be awarded a smaller trophy to keep at home for the year. 

Students from Years 7 to 13 may submit hand painted/drawn scientific illustrations which include the scientific names of the species represented (no photos). Entries can be creative but depictions of the plants/animals must be accurate. The Heads of Science and Art Departments (or their nominees) will decide on the winner and the prize will be presented at Prize Giving at the end of the year. 

In light of our previous successful science/art collaborations (eg: cards for Zealandia), we think this is a fitting addition to the school prize list and we look forward to seeing this year's submissions.

NB: The Jean Gilmer Award will not necessarily be awarded each year - work must be of a suitably high standard. Dates for submission of artwork will be publicised in the bulletin later in the year.