State Challenge
Prizes for Winners (per category)
1st Prize RM3,000 cash per team
2nd Prize RM2,000 cash per team
3rd Prize RM1,000 cash per team
4th Prize RM500 cash per team
5th Prize RM300 cash per team
Each contestant will receive a Certificate of Participation
Prizes for the Top Three (3) Schools (per category)
1st Prize RM2,000 in kind per team
2nd Prize RM1,000 in kind per team
3rd Prize RM750 in kind per team
National Grand Final Challenge
Prizes for Winners (per category)
1st Prize RM6,000 cash per team
2nd Prize RM4,000 cash per team
3rd Prize RM2,000 cash per team
4th Prize RM600 cash per team
5th Prize RM450 cash per team
6th – 14th Prize RM100 book voucher for each student (RM300 per team)
Each contestant will receive a Certificate of Achievement
Prizes for Schools (per category)
1st Prize Plaque and Certificate of Achievement
2nd Prize Plaque and Certificate of Achievement
3rd Prize Plaque and Certificate of Achievement
4th – 14th Prize Plaque and Certificate of Achievement
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Star - Mighty Minds
Sunday April 18, 2010
Might of minds
By ALYCIA LIM
educate@thestar.com.my
THE battle of the brains is on again! Held for the second year running, the RHB-The Star Mighty Minds 2010 kicks off with the first state challenge in Malacca this Saturday.
Sixty teams from both the lower and upper secondary categories are expected to converge in Dataran Pahlawan Megamall for eight solid hours beginning 9am to pit grey matter in four brain-bending challenges. At stake is the right to be called “Malacca’s mightiest minds”, bring glory to their school, and represent their state in the national challenge to be held in the Klang Valley in October. If earning bragging rights are not enough, additional carrots being dangled come in the form of prizes in cash and kind.
Alagesan says that teams should have innovative ideas to outshine the others.
For each category, the top five teams in each state will receive:
·1st prize: RM3,000 cash per team and a RM2,000 in-kind school prize
·2nd prize: RM2,000 cash per team and a RM1,000 in-kind school prize
·3rd prize: RM1,000 cash per team and RM750 in-kind school prize
·4th prize: RM 500 cash per team
·5th prize: RM 300 cash per team
The jewel in the crown is the RM6,000 cash prize for the national champions in the two categories.
Malaccan secondary students ... if you have yet to register, act fast because places are limited. For students nationwide, quick action is also required because the challenge is only open to one team per category per school.
Other than the multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and hands-on activity that were the only determinants in last year’s challenge, an oral presentation and an open-ended buzzer quiz have been thrown into the mix this year to separate the “smart” from the “brilliant”.
Participants have to really step up their game, because only 15 out of the 60 teams per category will make it through to the hands-on challenge. And from these 15 teams, only the top five teams get to swagger on stage and wax lyrical about the uniqueness of their model and their grasp of Science principles. The challenge concludes with a heart-stopping buzzer quiz.
Setting all the questions is The Star’s F4F5 physics columnist and chief judge A. Alagesan.
“The approach this year will be a holistic one. We want to make sure that no points get discounted this time. Last year, the objective challenge was only to qualify teams to the second challenge. But this year, everything will be taken into account.”
Gently does it: Team Sarawak demonstrating their sand-powered ferris wheel during last year’s oral presentation at the national finals.
The MCQ will make up 20% of the total score, while the hands-on challenge will amount to 30%. Another 35% will be allocated to the oral presentation, and the buzzer quiz will make up the final 15%.
“We emphasise on the oral presentation because we want students to come better prepared. It also gives students the chance to tell the audience what they have created, and get them involved in the process.”
Alagesan said that while the oral presentation would be “guided,” teams should come up with their own innovative ideas in order to outshine the other teams.
As for the buzzer quiz, Alagesan said, “It will require impromptu thinking. Unlike the MCQ questions, students have to be quick to hit the buzzer and answer.”
Asked if he had any advice for the students, he said, “Be prepared for more science-based general knowledge questions.”
An example of this would be: Which kitchen items would you use to unclog your drain? Yes, something that even your experienced grandmother could tell you!
But knowledge in science alone wouldn’t cut it, as there would also be general knowledge questions on current affairs, geography, and even basic IT and banking, among others.
All state challenges and the national finals will be filmed, so grab this opportunity to shine on national television!
For must-have tips on the challenge, subscribe to F123 and F4F5, The Star’s Maths and Science guides that go out to schools on alternate Mondays. Alagesan shares valuable hints and techniques on page two of the pullouts, so call The Star’s Audience Development Unit at 03-7967 1777.
To register, visit www.thestar.com.my/mightyminds/ to download the registration form, which is also available in all RHB Bank and RHB Islamic Bank branches nationwide.
Might of minds
By ALYCIA LIM
educate@thestar.com.my
THE battle of the brains is on again! Held for the second year running, the RHB-The Star Mighty Minds 2010 kicks off with the first state challenge in Malacca this Saturday.
Sixty teams from both the lower and upper secondary categories are expected to converge in Dataran Pahlawan Megamall for eight solid hours beginning 9am to pit grey matter in four brain-bending challenges. At stake is the right to be called “Malacca’s mightiest minds”, bring glory to their school, and represent their state in the national challenge to be held in the Klang Valley in October. If earning bragging rights are not enough, additional carrots being dangled come in the form of prizes in cash and kind.
Alagesan says that teams should have innovative ideas to outshine the others.
For each category, the top five teams in each state will receive:
·1st prize: RM3,000 cash per team and a RM2,000 in-kind school prize
·2nd prize: RM2,000 cash per team and a RM1,000 in-kind school prize
·3rd prize: RM1,000 cash per team and RM750 in-kind school prize
·4th prize: RM 500 cash per team
·5th prize: RM 300 cash per team
The jewel in the crown is the RM6,000 cash prize for the national champions in the two categories.
Malaccan secondary students ... if you have yet to register, act fast because places are limited. For students nationwide, quick action is also required because the challenge is only open to one team per category per school.
Other than the multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and hands-on activity that were the only determinants in last year’s challenge, an oral presentation and an open-ended buzzer quiz have been thrown into the mix this year to separate the “smart” from the “brilliant”.
Participants have to really step up their game, because only 15 out of the 60 teams per category will make it through to the hands-on challenge. And from these 15 teams, only the top five teams get to swagger on stage and wax lyrical about the uniqueness of their model and their grasp of Science principles. The challenge concludes with a heart-stopping buzzer quiz.
Setting all the questions is The Star’s F4F5 physics columnist and chief judge A. Alagesan.
“The approach this year will be a holistic one. We want to make sure that no points get discounted this time. Last year, the objective challenge was only to qualify teams to the second challenge. But this year, everything will be taken into account.”
Gently does it: Team Sarawak demonstrating their sand-powered ferris wheel during last year’s oral presentation at the national finals.
The MCQ will make up 20% of the total score, while the hands-on challenge will amount to 30%. Another 35% will be allocated to the oral presentation, and the buzzer quiz will make up the final 15%.
“We emphasise on the oral presentation because we want students to come better prepared. It also gives students the chance to tell the audience what they have created, and get them involved in the process.”
Alagesan said that while the oral presentation would be “guided,” teams should come up with their own innovative ideas in order to outshine the other teams.
As for the buzzer quiz, Alagesan said, “It will require impromptu thinking. Unlike the MCQ questions, students have to be quick to hit the buzzer and answer.”
Asked if he had any advice for the students, he said, “Be prepared for more science-based general knowledge questions.”
An example of this would be: Which kitchen items would you use to unclog your drain? Yes, something that even your experienced grandmother could tell you!
But knowledge in science alone wouldn’t cut it, as there would also be general knowledge questions on current affairs, geography, and even basic IT and banking, among others.
All state challenges and the national finals will be filmed, so grab this opportunity to shine on national television!
For must-have tips on the challenge, subscribe to F123 and F4F5, The Star’s Maths and Science guides that go out to schools on alternate Mondays. Alagesan shares valuable hints and techniques on page two of the pullouts, so call The Star’s Audience Development Unit at 03-7967 1777.
To register, visit www.thestar.com.my/mightyminds/ to download the registration form, which is also available in all RHB Bank and RHB Islamic Bank branches nationwide.
The Star - Mighty Minds
Friday April 9, 2010
Buzzer quiz and on-stage presentation added to contest
By ALYCIA LIM
educate@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: After last year’s huge success, the RHB-The Star Mighty Minds Challenge is back, this time with extra “ingredients” to add even more zing!
The bar has been raised at the state challenge because a buzzer quiz and an on-stage presentation have been added to the mix.
Held for the second year running, schools are allowed to send only one team per category this year, as opposed to two teams last year.
This means that teachers need to choose their mightiest minds to clash head-on with their peers from around the nation on the brains battlefield.
At the partnership signing ceremony yesterday, group managing director of RHB Banking Group Datuk Tajuddin Atan said last year’s questions were not easy, and really pushed young minds to think quickly and creatively.
However, he said: “The participants are very bright students whom I think, if challenged, will be leaders of the future.”
Tajuddin added that he hoped to see more students from rural schools participate this year.
“We should focus on encouraging more rural schools to come into the picture rather than having just the elite boarding and urban schools.”
Star Publications (M) Bhd’s group managing director and chief executive officer Datin Linda Ngiam said the competition required much more from the students than just textbook knowledge.
She said, “As seen last year, the questions were really mind-boggling, but students as young as 13 could not only answer the questions, they were also able to apply Science and Maths principles to the projects they were doing and demonstrated that they could think on their feet.”
Ngiam added that The Star collaborated with RHB Banking Group because they were like-minded in their holistic educational objectives.
RHB-The Star Mighty Minds Challenge 2010 will sweep through all 14 states from April to September, before culminating in the national finals in the Klang Valley in October.
The competition is divided into two categories – the Lower Secondary for Forms 1-3 and Upper Secondary for Forms 4 and 5.
Besides the invaluable exposure to a mind-blowing competition and the opportunity to be seen on national television, attractive cash and school prizes await the top five teams in every state.
What more are you waiting for? Grab two teammates, badger your teacher and sign up for a chance to win RM6,000 at the national finals.
For enquiries, call 03-7967 1777 or 03-7967 1388 ext 1040/1043 from 9am to 5pm (Monday to Friday).
Alternatively, e-mail cir.ccu@thestar.com.my.
Buzzer quiz and on-stage presentation added to contest
By ALYCIA LIM
educate@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: After last year’s huge success, the RHB-The Star Mighty Minds Challenge is back, this time with extra “ingredients” to add even more zing!
The bar has been raised at the state challenge because a buzzer quiz and an on-stage presentation have been added to the mix.
Held for the second year running, schools are allowed to send only one team per category this year, as opposed to two teams last year.
This means that teachers need to choose their mightiest minds to clash head-on with their peers from around the nation on the brains battlefield.
At the partnership signing ceremony yesterday, group managing director of RHB Banking Group Datuk Tajuddin Atan said last year’s questions were not easy, and really pushed young minds to think quickly and creatively.
However, he said: “The participants are very bright students whom I think, if challenged, will be leaders of the future.”
Tajuddin added that he hoped to see more students from rural schools participate this year.
“We should focus on encouraging more rural schools to come into the picture rather than having just the elite boarding and urban schools.”
Star Publications (M) Bhd’s group managing director and chief executive officer Datin Linda Ngiam said the competition required much more from the students than just textbook knowledge.
She said, “As seen last year, the questions were really mind-boggling, but students as young as 13 could not only answer the questions, they were also able to apply Science and Maths principles to the projects they were doing and demonstrated that they could think on their feet.”
Ngiam added that The Star collaborated with RHB Banking Group because they were like-minded in their holistic educational objectives.
RHB-The Star Mighty Minds Challenge 2010 will sweep through all 14 states from April to September, before culminating in the national finals in the Klang Valley in October.
The competition is divided into two categories – the Lower Secondary for Forms 1-3 and Upper Secondary for Forms 4 and 5.
Besides the invaluable exposure to a mind-blowing competition and the opportunity to be seen on national television, attractive cash and school prizes await the top five teams in every state.
What more are you waiting for? Grab two teammates, badger your teacher and sign up for a chance to win RM6,000 at the national finals.
For enquiries, call 03-7967 1777 or 03-7967 1388 ext 1040/1043 from 9am to 5pm (Monday to Friday).
Alternatively, e-mail cir.ccu@thestar.com.my.
Contact Us
For further enquiries, please contact:
Corporate Communication Unit
Marketing Department
The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad
Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-2056 7109 or 012-523 1148 (Mon - Fri, 10am - 5pm)
Corporate Communication Unit
Marketing Department
The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad
Balai Berita, 31 Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-2056 7109 or 012-523 1148 (Mon - Fri, 10am - 5pm)
Terms & Conditions
1. This challenge is open to Malaysian citizens in government-funded primary and secondary schools only.
2. Each school is allowed only one (1) team, which MUST consist of four (4) contestants.
3. Only fifty-six (56) schools from each state will be accepted in each category. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Each contestant must complete the original entry form published in the New Straits Times. Photocopied forms will not be accepted.
5. All entry forms must be fully completed and include the principal's signature and school stamp. By participating in this challenge, it is deemed that the school has written consent from contestants' parents and/or guardians.
6. The entry form must be faxed to Corporate Communication Unit, Marketing Department, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd at 03-2288 8888 no later than April 30, 2010 and May 21, 2010 respectively. Entries will not be accepted after the deadline.
7. Proof of fax delivery is not proof of receipt of entry forms.
8. The organisers reserve the right to reject any entry without giving any reasons whatsoever.
9. On the day of the challenge, teachers have to bring along the contestants' original entry forms, confirmation letter from the New Straits Times, and certified true copies of the contestants' Identity Card and/or Birth Certificate.
10. All contestants must be in full school uniform for State and National Challenges.
11. No aids will be allowed on stage or on contestants. For example, no pens, paper, MP3 players or handphones will be allowed on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
12. No discussion or prompting will be allowed between team members or from anyone on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
13. No prompting by the audience (in any form). If there are violations, the word will be withdrawn and a new word given.
14. The time allocated to spell a word is twenty (20) seconds. If a contestant fails to complete spelling the word in the given timeframe, the contestant will be disqualified.
15. Every word spelt correctly will be awarded one (1) point.
16. In the case of a dispute (for example, mispronunciation, uncertainty of word use, time or distractions) the decision of the Presenter will be final after consultation with the Judge. The Presenter will have absolute discretion over the conduct of proceedings.
17. Accommodation will be provided for contestants and teachers from Peninsular States attending the National Challenge in Kuala Lumpur. Contestants from Sabah and Sarawak will be provided accommodation and transportation.
18. All finalists MUST use the centralised accommodation and transportation provided by the organisers.
19. The organisers may at their discretion refuse any entry and cancel or postpone the event without due notice in the event of unforeseen circumstances. No claims of any kind arising from the abandonment, cancellation and/or postponement of the event shall be entertained.
20. The organisers including but not limited to NSTP will not be held responsible for any mishap, injury, damage and/or loss suffered by any contestant. Every contestant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless NSTP against all actions, suits, claims, liabilities, losses, expenses and/or damages with respect to any claims arising out of any death, or personal injury, loss or damage to property or goods under this Agreement arising out of the wilful misconduct or negligence of the contestants or any breach or non-observance by the contestants of any of its obligations under this Agreement.
21. By participating in this challenge, contestants, teachers-in-charge and principals are deemed to have read, understood and agreed to be bound by the Contest Procedures and Terms and Conditions and decisions made by NSTP, its Subsidiaries, its employees and/or its agents.
22. For detailed challenge procedures, please log on to http://www.nst.com.my/SIR. For enquiries, please call the Corporate Communication Unit at 03-2056 7109 or 012-523 1148 (Mon - Fri, 10am - 5pm).
2. Each school is allowed only one (1) team, which MUST consist of four (4) contestants.
3. Only fifty-six (56) schools from each state will be accepted in each category. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Each contestant must complete the original entry form published in the New Straits Times. Photocopied forms will not be accepted.
5. All entry forms must be fully completed and include the principal's signature and school stamp. By participating in this challenge, it is deemed that the school has written consent from contestants' parents and/or guardians.
6. The entry form must be faxed to Corporate Communication Unit, Marketing Department, The New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd at 03-2288 8888 no later than April 30, 2010 and May 21, 2010 respectively. Entries will not be accepted after the deadline.
7. Proof of fax delivery is not proof of receipt of entry forms.
8. The organisers reserve the right to reject any entry without giving any reasons whatsoever.
9. On the day of the challenge, teachers have to bring along the contestants' original entry forms, confirmation letter from the New Straits Times, and certified true copies of the contestants' Identity Card and/or Birth Certificate.
10. All contestants must be in full school uniform for State and National Challenges.
11. No aids will be allowed on stage or on contestants. For example, no pens, paper, MP3 players or handphones will be allowed on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
12. No discussion or prompting will be allowed between team members or from anyone on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
13. No prompting by the audience (in any form). If there are violations, the word will be withdrawn and a new word given.
14. The time allocated to spell a word is twenty (20) seconds. If a contestant fails to complete spelling the word in the given timeframe, the contestant will be disqualified.
15. Every word spelt correctly will be awarded one (1) point.
16. In the case of a dispute (for example, mispronunciation, uncertainty of word use, time or distractions) the decision of the Presenter will be final after consultation with the Judge. The Presenter will have absolute discretion over the conduct of proceedings.
17. Accommodation will be provided for contestants and teachers from Peninsular States attending the National Challenge in Kuala Lumpur. Contestants from Sabah and Sarawak will be provided accommodation and transportation.
18. All finalists MUST use the centralised accommodation and transportation provided by the organisers.
19. The organisers may at their discretion refuse any entry and cancel or postpone the event without due notice in the event of unforeseen circumstances. No claims of any kind arising from the abandonment, cancellation and/or postponement of the event shall be entertained.
20. The organisers including but not limited to NSTP will not be held responsible for any mishap, injury, damage and/or loss suffered by any contestant. Every contestant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless NSTP against all actions, suits, claims, liabilities, losses, expenses and/or damages with respect to any claims arising out of any death, or personal injury, loss or damage to property or goods under this Agreement arising out of the wilful misconduct or negligence of the contestants or any breach or non-observance by the contestants of any of its obligations under this Agreement.
21. By participating in this challenge, contestants, teachers-in-charge and principals are deemed to have read, understood and agreed to be bound by the Contest Procedures and Terms and Conditions and decisions made by NSTP, its Subsidiaries, its employees and/or its agents.
22. For detailed challenge procedures, please log on to http://www.nst.com.my/SIR. For enquiries, please call the Corporate Communication Unit at 03-2056 7109 or 012-523 1148 (Mon - Fri, 10am - 5pm).
Contest Procedures And Rules & Regulations
A. Word List
The vast part of the word list can be found in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary 7th Edition, Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner's English Dictionary New Edition and Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary Third Edition for both primary and secondary competitions. Words in the public domain will also be selected for use.
Some of the words may also be chosen from the New Straits Times publications. These may include technical terms and jargon that represent a particular industry or trade.
In the 2010 competition, no hyphenated words or phrases will be used. No prepositions or adverbs or conjunctions will be used. The word list will consist of noun, verb, adjectival and adverbial forms.
Each elimination round will use words of greater difficulty. The gradation of difficulty will vary.
Any word that the content committee deems will raise the bar for the students will be included. No requests to simplify or modify word lists will be entertained.
There will be different word lists for state and final championships.
The word lists, once compiled will, be handed over to the auditors and will only be released to Presenters on the day of the competition.
The word list will appear the following form:
Word : nonsensical
Definition : ideas, actions, or statements that are nonsensical are not reasonable or sensible.
Sentence : This is a nonsensical argument.
At the end of the State Championship competition at each venue, the word list with all the notations made by Presenters and Judges will be returned to the Auditor for safekeeping and evaluation.
B. Contest Protocol
Contest Administrators:
At any one time, the following people will be on stage, i.e.: a Judge, the Presenter, the Timekeeper, the Scorekeeper and the Auditor.
An additional two (2) administrators will manage the aisles and assist contestants to come forward for their turn to spell and return them to their seats, and escort students who are eliminated.
The Presenter will be both emcee and pronouncer.
The Presenter will be the final authority after consultation with the judge on the spelling submitted by a contestant.
At the start of the contest the Presenter will lay down the rules for the audience and do a quick brief on how the contest process will work.
The Presenter will introduce the judge and other administrators and the schools represented by the students on the stage at any one time.
The contest will begin when the auditor hands over the sealed word list to the Presenter.
The Presenter will share the word list to be used with the judge and the auditor.
The contest administrators will have a list with contestants' names, their assigned numbers and the names of their schools.
As each word is delivered, the Presenter will tick the word off against the list and against the contestant.
The Presenter will first pronounce the word to be spelt, then define the word and then use it in a sentence. The Presenter then invites the child to spell the word.
The contestant will then have twenty (20) seconds to spell the word. The buzzer will ring after twenty (20) seconds.
The scorekeeper will note all the words a student spells correctly and allocate one (1) point for each correctly spelled word. At the end of the day, the scorekeeper will tally the points scored by every student and every school.
Contestants:
The Preliminary Contest will have three (3) rounds. Contestants who get their spelling correct will advance from Round 1 to Round 2 and then to Round 3. In the event of a tie, a tiebreaker round will be held to determine the winner.
No schools are allowed to walk in and register in the morning.
Each school must register four (4) students to participate in the preliminary rounds of the State Championships. All contestants must be Malaysian citizens.
For the State Preliminary Rounds, four (4) schools will be called up on the stage at any one time (16 students per group). These sixteen (16) students will form a group.
The Contestants will be seated on the stage.
How it works: The Presenter will call the first contestant from the first school by name. The contestant will walk to the microphone. The Presenter gives the Contestant his or her first word to spell. The Contestant has twenty (20) seconds to pronounce the word, spell the word and pronounce it again. The second pronunciation of the word is deemed as final submission of that word and its spelling.
If the contestant gets the spelling correct, he or she will be asked to return to his or her seat and enter the next round.
If the Contestant misspells a word or does not complete the spelling of the word when the time is up, he or she is immediately eliminated from the contest. No chances will be given for respelling a word.
If the contestant misspells a word, he or she must remain at the microphone until the Presenter provides the correct spelling of the word.
If the Contestant starts spelling and stops midway, he or she can restart spelling the word from the first letter, provided (a) the final submission (see number 6) has not taken place and provided (b) that the second attempt is completed within the twenty (20) seconds.
After the first contestant has finished his / her turn, the Presenter will call the next contestant.
At the state finals, each contestant will be asked to spell three words based on the 'round robin' system. At this stage rules 6-10 will apply.
The winners of the preliminary rounds will proceed to the state finals on the same day. The state winners (1 individual each from the Primary and the Secondary categories) will participate along with thirteen (13) others in the respective categories at the National Championship.
There will be no staggering of times for the Contestants. All participating teams are expected to report by 9am to attend the briefing by the Presenter before the start of the competition.
All contestants MUST be in their full school uniforms.
All teachers and contestants are required to stay until the end of the day in the event of a tie between schools and to participate in the prize-giving ceremony.
The National Finals will see fourteen (14) participants in their respective categories pitting their skills against each other.
The participants in the National Finals will be required to spell five (5) words each based on the 'round robin' system to determine the seven (7) best spellers.
The seven (7) best spellers will enter the semi-final round. Contestants will be required to spell five (5) words each based on the 'round robin' system.
The first five (5) clear winners shall be established at this point. In the event of a tie for any one of the top five (5) positions, a tie-breaker round shall be held using the 'sudden death' system.
C. Rules and Regulations (these will apply for both state and final championships)
Contestants are required to face the Presenter and Judge when pronouncing and spelling the word.
No aids will be allowed on stage or on Contestants. For example, no pens, paper, MP3 players or handphones will be allowed on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
No discussion or prompting between team members or from anyone on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
No prompting by the audience (in any form). If there are any violations, the word will be withdrawn and a new word given.
The audience may not clap till the Presenter declares the word CORRECT or INCORRECT.
The allocated 20 seconds for spelling will start after the Presenter says: Your time starts now.
The Contestant will first pronounce the word, then spell the word and then pronounce it again to indicate that he or she is submitting the word for judgment.
The Contestant can ask the Presenter to repeat the word BUT the timer will NOT be stopped to accommodate the request. He or she must complete spelling the word within the 20 seconds allocated.
If a Contestant starts spelling a word and stops midway to try and spell it again, he or she must go back to the first letter of the word to spell again. The Contestant cannot continue from the letter he or she left off.
If the Contestant exceeds the 20 seconds timeframe given for spelling the word, points will NOT be awarded even if they are correct.
Every word spelt correctly will be awarded one point.
In every round points awarded to a contestant will directly translate into points for his/her school. The top three schools at State level will be adjudicated only on the number of points accumulated in the preliminary rounds. Points accumulated at the state finals will not be considered.
In the case of a dispute (for example, mispronunciation, uncertainty of word use, time or distractions), the decision of the Presenter will be final after consultation with the Judge. The Presenter will have absolute discretion over the conduct of proceedings.
The Contest is a SPELLING contest, but as Spelling is delivered through Speech, it is incumbent on the part of the Contestant to see that every letter spelt is clearly enunciated so there is no mistaking the spelling of the word. Letters not clearly spoken even if the Contestant knows the spelling WILL NOT be accepted and will form grounds for elimination.
The Contest (both State and National Finals) will begin on time. Punctuality is to be observed. There should be no disruptions when the contest starts.
Each school registers four students to participate in the contest. Only those four students are allowed to take part. Should there be a reason for substitution it can only be done before the competition begins and with an official letter from the school. There can be no substitution once the competition has begun.Teams must appear at the appointed time. No requests for refunds and rescheduling will be entertained.
The contest administrators will try to accommodate contestants who have special needs. All such requests should be made in writing to the contest administrators well in advance of the competition.
Any complaint from the audience/teachers on any matter pertaining to the proceedings must be presented in writing to the organiser. The complainant must supply his/her full name, address and contact details.
If contestants wish to seek the attention of the Presenter, they must raise their hands.
The vast part of the word list can be found in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary 7th Edition, Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner's English Dictionary New Edition and Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary Third Edition for both primary and secondary competitions. Words in the public domain will also be selected for use.
Some of the words may also be chosen from the New Straits Times publications. These may include technical terms and jargon that represent a particular industry or trade.
In the 2010 competition, no hyphenated words or phrases will be used. No prepositions or adverbs or conjunctions will be used. The word list will consist of noun, verb, adjectival and adverbial forms.
Each elimination round will use words of greater difficulty. The gradation of difficulty will vary.
Any word that the content committee deems will raise the bar for the students will be included. No requests to simplify or modify word lists will be entertained.
There will be different word lists for state and final championships.
The word lists, once compiled will, be handed over to the auditors and will only be released to Presenters on the day of the competition.
The word list will appear the following form:
Word : nonsensical
Definition : ideas, actions, or statements that are nonsensical are not reasonable or sensible.
Sentence : This is a nonsensical argument.
At the end of the State Championship competition at each venue, the word list with all the notations made by Presenters and Judges will be returned to the Auditor for safekeeping and evaluation.
B. Contest Protocol
Contest Administrators:
At any one time, the following people will be on stage, i.e.: a Judge, the Presenter, the Timekeeper, the Scorekeeper and the Auditor.
An additional two (2) administrators will manage the aisles and assist contestants to come forward for their turn to spell and return them to their seats, and escort students who are eliminated.
The Presenter will be both emcee and pronouncer.
The Presenter will be the final authority after consultation with the judge on the spelling submitted by a contestant.
At the start of the contest the Presenter will lay down the rules for the audience and do a quick brief on how the contest process will work.
The Presenter will introduce the judge and other administrators and the schools represented by the students on the stage at any one time.
The contest will begin when the auditor hands over the sealed word list to the Presenter.
The Presenter will share the word list to be used with the judge and the auditor.
The contest administrators will have a list with contestants' names, their assigned numbers and the names of their schools.
As each word is delivered, the Presenter will tick the word off against the list and against the contestant.
The Presenter will first pronounce the word to be spelt, then define the word and then use it in a sentence. The Presenter then invites the child to spell the word.
The contestant will then have twenty (20) seconds to spell the word. The buzzer will ring after twenty (20) seconds.
The scorekeeper will note all the words a student spells correctly and allocate one (1) point for each correctly spelled word. At the end of the day, the scorekeeper will tally the points scored by every student and every school.
Contestants:
The Preliminary Contest will have three (3) rounds. Contestants who get their spelling correct will advance from Round 1 to Round 2 and then to Round 3. In the event of a tie, a tiebreaker round will be held to determine the winner.
No schools are allowed to walk in and register in the morning.
Each school must register four (4) students to participate in the preliminary rounds of the State Championships. All contestants must be Malaysian citizens.
For the State Preliminary Rounds, four (4) schools will be called up on the stage at any one time (16 students per group). These sixteen (16) students will form a group.
The Contestants will be seated on the stage.
How it works: The Presenter will call the first contestant from the first school by name. The contestant will walk to the microphone. The Presenter gives the Contestant his or her first word to spell. The Contestant has twenty (20) seconds to pronounce the word, spell the word and pronounce it again. The second pronunciation of the word is deemed as final submission of that word and its spelling.
If the contestant gets the spelling correct, he or she will be asked to return to his or her seat and enter the next round.
If the Contestant misspells a word or does not complete the spelling of the word when the time is up, he or she is immediately eliminated from the contest. No chances will be given for respelling a word.
If the contestant misspells a word, he or she must remain at the microphone until the Presenter provides the correct spelling of the word.
If the Contestant starts spelling and stops midway, he or she can restart spelling the word from the first letter, provided (a) the final submission (see number 6) has not taken place and provided (b) that the second attempt is completed within the twenty (20) seconds.
After the first contestant has finished his / her turn, the Presenter will call the next contestant.
At the state finals, each contestant will be asked to spell three words based on the 'round robin' system. At this stage rules 6-10 will apply.
The winners of the preliminary rounds will proceed to the state finals on the same day. The state winners (1 individual each from the Primary and the Secondary categories) will participate along with thirteen (13) others in the respective categories at the National Championship.
There will be no staggering of times for the Contestants. All participating teams are expected to report by 9am to attend the briefing by the Presenter before the start of the competition.
All contestants MUST be in their full school uniforms.
All teachers and contestants are required to stay until the end of the day in the event of a tie between schools and to participate in the prize-giving ceremony.
The National Finals will see fourteen (14) participants in their respective categories pitting their skills against each other.
The participants in the National Finals will be required to spell five (5) words each based on the 'round robin' system to determine the seven (7) best spellers.
The seven (7) best spellers will enter the semi-final round. Contestants will be required to spell five (5) words each based on the 'round robin' system.
The first five (5) clear winners shall be established at this point. In the event of a tie for any one of the top five (5) positions, a tie-breaker round shall be held using the 'sudden death' system.
C. Rules and Regulations (these will apply for both state and final championships)
Contestants are required to face the Presenter and Judge when pronouncing and spelling the word.
No aids will be allowed on stage or on Contestants. For example, no pens, paper, MP3 players or handphones will be allowed on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
No discussion or prompting between team members or from anyone on stage. A breach of this rule will be grounds for disqualification.
No prompting by the audience (in any form). If there are any violations, the word will be withdrawn and a new word given.
The audience may not clap till the Presenter declares the word CORRECT or INCORRECT.
The allocated 20 seconds for spelling will start after the Presenter says: Your time starts now.
The Contestant will first pronounce the word, then spell the word and then pronounce it again to indicate that he or she is submitting the word for judgment.
The Contestant can ask the Presenter to repeat the word BUT the timer will NOT be stopped to accommodate the request. He or she must complete spelling the word within the 20 seconds allocated.
If a Contestant starts spelling a word and stops midway to try and spell it again, he or she must go back to the first letter of the word to spell again. The Contestant cannot continue from the letter he or she left off.
If the Contestant exceeds the 20 seconds timeframe given for spelling the word, points will NOT be awarded even if they are correct.
Every word spelt correctly will be awarded one point.
In every round points awarded to a contestant will directly translate into points for his/her school. The top three schools at State level will be adjudicated only on the number of points accumulated in the preliminary rounds. Points accumulated at the state finals will not be considered.
In the case of a dispute (for example, mispronunciation, uncertainty of word use, time or distractions), the decision of the Presenter will be final after consultation with the Judge. The Presenter will have absolute discretion over the conduct of proceedings.
The Contest is a SPELLING contest, but as Spelling is delivered through Speech, it is incumbent on the part of the Contestant to see that every letter spelt is clearly enunciated so there is no mistaking the spelling of the word. Letters not clearly spoken even if the Contestant knows the spelling WILL NOT be accepted and will form grounds for elimination.
The Contest (both State and National Finals) will begin on time. Punctuality is to be observed. There should be no disruptions when the contest starts.
Each school registers four students to participate in the contest. Only those four students are allowed to take part. Should there be a reason for substitution it can only be done before the competition begins and with an official letter from the school. There can be no substitution once the competition has begun.Teams must appear at the appointed time. No requests for refunds and rescheduling will be entertained.
The contest administrators will try to accommodate contestants who have special needs. All such requests should be made in writing to the contest administrators well in advance of the competition.
Any complaint from the audience/teachers on any matter pertaining to the proceedings must be presented in writing to the organiser. The complainant must supply his/her full name, address and contact details.
If contestants wish to seek the attention of the Presenter, they must raise their hands.
About Spell It Right
The RHB New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right Challenge is a spelling contest for children in primary and secondary schools.
The competition seeks to discover individuals at primary and secondary school levels who possess an outstanding English vocabulary. The competition will reward schools that demonstrate a concerted effort to nurture good spellers.
RHB New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right Challenge will comprise State Championships leading to a National Championship.
As spelling is delivered through speech, the letters of the alphabet are to be clearly enunciated to avoid disqualification or elimination.
The references for the competition shall be for the most part from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary 7th Edition, Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner's English Dictionary New Edition and Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary Third Edition.
Words in the public domain will also be selected for use.
The competition seeks to discover individuals at primary and secondary school levels who possess an outstanding English vocabulary. The competition will reward schools that demonstrate a concerted effort to nurture good spellers.
RHB New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right Challenge will comprise State Championships leading to a National Championship.
As spelling is delivered through speech, the letters of the alphabet are to be clearly enunciated to avoid disqualification or elimination.
The references for the competition shall be for the most part from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary 7th Edition, Collins Cobuild Advanced Learner's English Dictionary New Edition and Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary Third Edition.
Words in the public domain will also be selected for use.
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