Students in Ontario’s nickel capital submit record number of Ontario Mining Association SYTYKM entries

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

So You Think You Know Mining (SKTYKM)

Efforts by the Sudbury Mining Committee and Cambrian College have helped to boost the number of Sudbury area entries in the Ontario Mining Association’s high school video competition So You Think You Know Mining this year.  The OMA appreciates the support and cooperation from these groups during the fourth rendition of SYTYKM.

Students from four Sudbury area high schools — St. Benedicts, Bishop Alexander Carter, Confederation and Lively — submitted 15 SYTYKM entries.  Though there have been entries – and winners — from Sudbury in previous years, this number is at least three times the normal level of Sudbury area entries.  This year, more than 135 videos were received from students across the province, which is approximately 70% more than the 80-plus Ontario entries last year.

Sudbury Mining Week plans on showcasing the top SYTYKM entries from the region during events planned for April 27 to May 5, 2012.  This group aims to promote mining and its importance to the economy and culture of Northern Ontario.  The Sudbury Mining Week Committee also wants young people to learn more about the broad range of career opportunities the industry offers and the high-tech realities of modern mining.  Sudbury Mining Week details can be found at www.sudburyminingweek.com.

Also, in late February, Cambrian College held a one-day video production workshop, which was designed to promote the SYTYKM competition.  Twenty students attended this hands-on course, which inspired some student participants to enter SYTYKM.

Students were provided with an opportunity to learn the basics of video production ,  to use Cambrian’s modern facilities and film equipment and to benefit from the experience of college staff.  The workshop was facilitated by Dan Maslakewycz from CTV.

This year’s SYTYKM competition is making available opportunities to win $33,500 in prize money, an $8,000 increase of what was on the table last year.  Other key dates in 2012 are April 1 to 15 for the determination of nominees for the People’s Choice and OMA Academy Award, April 20 to June 3, which is the voting period for the People’s Choice Award, and May 22 when winners will be determined and notified. 

The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 5 in Toronto at the Royal Ontario Museum. New this year is a Best 30 Second Commercial award for $2,500 and an OMA Academy Award for $2,500, which will be determined by OMA members.  Along with the $5,000 prize for Best Overall Video, plus $500 to the winner’s school, there are $2,500 prizes for First Runner Up for Best Overall Video, Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Music, Best Comedy, Best Animated Video, Best Video in a language other than English and the People’s Choice Award.

Also, any school which has three, or more, entries will be eligible for a draw to win $2,000 to purchase video equipment.  It looks like there is a large pool of candidates – including Sudbury area high schools — for this prize in 2012. In addition, the producers of one entry will be selected to film the SYTYKM awards ceremony for the OMA website.  The producers and their school will each receive $500. 

SYTYKM is supported by comprehensive web-based resources, a blog and on Twitter.  Contest details, entry forms, technical requirements for submitting videos, production ideas and past winners and award ceremonies are all available on the OMA website.  

We will keep you posted and let you know who will be on the red carpet accepting SYTYKM statuettes and trophies June 5, 2012 at the Royal Ontario Museum for the SYTYKM awards gala.