Cubist & Cambridge Science Festival Launch “Germ Challenge” Science Contest
February 13 2014 - 5:00AM
Business Wire
Students Demonstrate Knowledge of Germs
through Exciting Videos Aimed at Fifth Grade Audience
Cambridge Science Festival and Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(NASDAQ: CBST) today launched the 2014 “Germ Challenge,” a contest
designed to engage young people in science by inviting them to
create educational and creative videos that demonstrate their
knowledge of germs and their ability to communicate scientific
concepts in a way that appeals to a young audience. Through this
contest, students will help teach other students about different
kinds of germs, including bacteria.
To enter the Germ Challenge, participants must be 15-20 years
old and create a 30 second to five minute video answering the
question: “What is a Germ?”. Video submissions are due March 28,
2014. Entries will be judged on their scientific accuracy, as well
as whether they are thorough, creative, engaging and fun.
Videos will be evaluated first by a panel of Cubist scientists
for accuracy, and then judged by local fifth graders who will
determine the winners. Two winning entries will be selected. A
prize will be awarded to a winning individual and a team entry. In
addition, the winners will have the opportunity to present their
videos during the Cambridge Science Festival, which runs from April
18-27, 2014.
To learn more about the Challenge and to submit videos, please
visit
http://www.cambridgesciencefestival.org/2014Festival/TheGermChallenge.aspx.
Mike Bonney, Chief Executive Officer of Cubist, said, “We are
proud to collaborate with the Cambridge Science Festival on this
year’s Germ Challenge. Students teaching students is very powerful
and this contest is an exciting way to engage young people in
science and technology by making it fun, accessible and easy to
understand. Cubist is committed to supporting the advancement of
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education,
and our employees play an important role in helping to bring
science to life for young people. Enthusiasm for STEM is critical
as we look to build a diverse pipeline of talent needed to tackle
important global challenges, including developing new medicines for
patients. ”
P. A. d’Arbeloff, Director of Cambridge Science Festival and
Science on the Street, said, “The Germ Challenge represents the
hallmark of the Festival’s mission, which is to make science fun
while at the same time highlighting the impact it has on our lives.
Students will learn how to describe something prevalent like germs
in a way that budding young scientists can understand. We are
pleased to collaborate with Cubist, the global leader in
antibiotics research and development, on this program.”
About Cubist
Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global biopharmaceutical
company focused on the research, development, and commercialization
of pharmaceutical products that address significant unmet medical
needs in the acute care environment. Cubist is headquartered in
Lexington, Massachusetts, with a central international office
located in Zurich, Switzerland. Additional information can be found
at Cubist’s web site at www.cubist.com. Also, connect with Cubist
on Twitter @cubistbiopharma and @cubistcareers, LinkedIn, or
YouTube.
About Cambridge Science Festival
The Cambridge Science Festival is a celebration showcasing the
leading edge in STEM. A multifaceted, multicultural event every
spring, the festival makes science accessible, interactive, and
fun, while highlighting the impact of science on all our lives.
Additional information can be found at
http://www.cambridgesciencefestival.org.
CubistJulie DiCarlo,
781-860-8063julie.dicarlo@cubist.comorCambridge Science
Festival:P.A. d’Arbeloff, 617-519-0428padarb@mit.edu