The Plus new writers award - bring maths to life

Maths is the language of the universe, so what have you got to say?

Plus magazine is looking for the science writers of the future, who can make mathematics lively and interesting for a general audience.

Published online and free of charge, Plus is an award-winning magazine about maths which is aimed at the general public. Its articles by top mathematicians and science writers provide a window into the world of maths with all its beauty and applications, and cover fields as diverse as art, medicine, cosmology and sport. The Plus new writers award gives our readers a chance to join our acclaimed list of authors, including physicist Stephen Hawking, mathematician and writer Marcus du Sautoy, and NASA astronaut Michael Foale.

We invite all secondary school and sixth form students to write a piece of up to 900 words about the life and/or work of any mathematician, living or dead. The world of maths is full of fascinating stories, mathematical and otherwise. Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz quibbled over who invented the calculus, Evariste Galois died in a duel at the tender age of 21, and women like Sophie Germain had to pretend to be men to have their work taken seriously. In modern times, Girgory Perelman reluctantly entered the media spotlight by refusing the Fields Medal, the highest honour in mathematics. You might be surprised by the effect of feuds, friendships, and families on the development of the theorems and ideas taught in the classroom each day!

The winning entries will be read by an international audience of over 200,000 in the June 2008 issue of Plus. The closing date is March 31st 2008, and more information on the competition (as well as helpful resources to help you write your piece) can be found on the Plus website.

Besides the fame and glory of seeing your article published in Plus, there are also prizes for the best submissions, including signed copies of popular science books and an Apple iPod.

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