The “Science in Lyrics” writing competition is back! Have you ever thought twice about the whale fall, and the sea of flowers in the playlist that you have been looping? Now comes the chance to quote your favorite line of lyrics, and write a paragraph on a scientific fun fact that is hidden in plain sight. You may win an iPad, an instant camera and…JUPAS bonus points!
Organizer
School of Science, HKUST
Eligibility
Full-time secondary school students in Hong Kong
Deadline
April 21, 2024 (Sun) at 23:59
Requirements
- Quote your favorite line of lyrics, and share any relevant scientific knowledge or stories. For example, you can discuss why leaves turn yellow in the fall for the phrase “yellow leaves,” or how the twelve constellations were assigned for the word “Virgo.”
- Lyrics should be quoted from a Chinese or an English pop song, and the writing can be in Chinese or English.
- The song and writing can be in same language or different languages – e.g. English song with Chinese writing is allowed.
- Suggested word count for the writing:
- 100–200 words in English; or
- 200–400 words in Chinese
How to Submit Your Entry?
1) Follow our Instagram account (@sciencefocus.hkust)2) Comment and tag 3 friends on the pinned post on @sciencefocus.hkust
3) Submit your entry here
Selection Criteria
- Accuracy of scientific principles and facts (10)
- Language (10)
- Relevance to the lyrics (5)
Prizes
- Champion: Apple iPad 64GB Wi-Fi (10th Generation)
- First runner-up: Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 and a pack of Instax Mini Film
- Second runner-up: 90 days music gift card
Results will be announced via Science Focus’ website on or before May 21, 2024 (Tue). Winners will be contacted through Instagram Direct and/or email.
Recognition of Participation for JUPAS Applicants
- OEA (Other Experiences and Achievements in Competitions) bonus points will be awarded to entrants who submit quality entries.
- The quota is 200. Eligibility will be judged on quality if more than 200 entries are received.
- Bonus points will be counted towards the final admission score if at least one of the following programs is in Band A:
- Science (Group A) (JS5102)
- Science (Group A) with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence (JS5181)
- Science (Group B) (JS5103)
- International Research Enrichment (JS5101)
- Biotechnology and Business (JS5811)
- Mathematics and Economics (JS5813)
- S.3 to S.5 students (for 2025–2027 entry) are eligible for the bonus points.
Suggested Lyrics
Our Editors have picked our favorite songs, but you are welcome to choose yours!
Song |
Artist |
Lyrics (Keywords in underline) |
鯨落 |
陳卓賢 |
鯨落入大海只有冷仍綻放 寂靜在暗淵漸降 海魚即管吃喝 遺愛後葬於海溝這軀殻 |
花海 |
張天賦 |
相約在玩樂園外 沒想過新頁章掀開 這戀愛感覺太似花開 |
流離者的海 |
林家謙 |
發現有種漂泊 亦能在這世界花海尋找愛 |
記得 |
林家謙 |
八月晚風輕輕吹過多恬靜 脫下那些金色的碎片 黃葉灑滿天 |
夏之風物詩 |
林家謙 |
記得這一刻 糊塗時 那閃閃煙花 記得當相機 咔嚓時 我多麼想凝住初夏 |
難道喜歡處女座 |
林家謙 |
情願似白羊似摩羯座 無謂纖細又糾結像我 |
月亮說 |
王菀之 |
人情在花不開 春天過後要等待 |
紅豆 |
王菲 |
還沒好好的感受 雪花綻放的氣候 我們一起顫抖 會更明白 甚麼是溫柔 |
跌嘢唔好搵 |
MC $oHo & KidNey |
首歌諗唔到點填 要寫埋量子糾纏? |
油尖旺金毛玲 |
Serrini |
更加有書生氣質古裝片裡面 喝過兩杯就紅了一臉 |
洋蔥 |
楊宗緯 |
如果你願意一層一層一層的剝開我的心 你會鼻酸 你會流淚 只要你能聽到我看到我的全心全意 |
木紋 |
何韻詩 |
如果 必須結束關係 難扮成從未栽種 讓我 數著年輪 這些年輪 我的心會痛 |
水星逆行 |
連詩雅 |
若水星倒後再行 將沖淡你的吸引 我命運 亦終於靠我 不靠運 |
有時 |
周國賢 |
只可半生奔馳 好比試管嬰兒 |
細胞 |
my little airport |
讓我的免疫力 施展一場魔法 |
大開眼戒 |
陳奕迅 |
早這樣降生 如基因可以 分解再裝嵌 重組我 什麼都不要緊 假使你興奮 |
Song |
Artist |
Lyrics (Keywords in underline) |
Woman On The Moon |
Yung Bae feat. UPSAHL |
Every time we touch, I feel my body turn to dust You got me higher than a woman on the moon Woman on the moon |
GUY.exe |
Superfruit |
Oh I, wish I could synthesize A picture perfect guy, oh I, oh I Six feet tall and super strong We'd always get along, alright |
Heat Waves |
Glass Animals |
Road shimmer wigglin' the vision Heat, heat waves, I'm swimmin' in a mirror |
Don't Stop Me Now |
Queen |
I'm burnin' through the sky, yeah 200 degrees, that's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit |
All of the Stars |
Ed Sheeran |
I saw a shooting star and thought of you |
Titanium |
David Guetta feat. Sia |
I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose Fire away, fire away |
Bachelorette |
Björk |
Tide will show you the way If you forget my name You will go astray Like a killer whale Trapped in a bay |
Snow On The Beach |
Taylor Swift |
This scene feels like what I once saw on a screen I searched 'aurora borealis green' |
Terms & Conditions
Eligibility
- Immediate family members of current and previous members of the Science Focus editorial board are ineligible for the competition.
Entry Submission
- One entry per person; no modifications will be allowed once the entry is submitted.
- The writing must be an original piece of work written by the entrant.
- The suggested word count should be observed; entries of inappropriate length may be disqualified.
- The submission should comply with local laws. In case there are any legal actions, demands, claims and expenses arising from the entries which infringe any laws, the entrants shall accept full liability.
- Work that does not comply with the eligibility requirements is subject to disqualification or retraction of award and/or prize.
- By submitting your entry, you agree to transfer the copyright and publication rights of your writing to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), thus granting us full rights in editing, modifying and publishing your entry. We may post the winning entries on our social media platforms, publish them in our magazine, and use them for other promotional purposes.
Recognition of Participation for JUPAS Applicants
- To be eligible for the OEA bonus points, entrants must provide accurate personal information for our record.
- The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify entrants who submit subpar or improper entries without prior notice.
Results & Prizes
- Winners will be contacted through Instagram Direct and/or email; failure to respond promptly may result in the retraction of prize and/or award.
- The deadline and the number of awards may be adjusted according to the number of entries.
- Winners are required to collect the prize at HKUST Clear Water Bay campus in person; failure to do so may result in the retraction of prize.
Others
- The Organizer reserves the right to suspend or terminate the competition, and modify the terms and conditions without prior notice.
- All matters and disputes are subject to the final decision of the Organizer.
For any enquiries, please email us at sciencefocus@ust.hk.