As much as the DCSWA community wanted to celebrate the end of 2021 in person, the holiday party is virtual again this year. We miss gathering with you and sharing scrumptious food together, and that sweet sentiment sparked an idea.
December weather ushers in no shortage of pastries for every taste and every holiday. There’s only one thing that could make such a feast better: science. What if every snowflake cookie were a fractal? What if you could honor pioneering geologists in gingerbread house or cupcake form? Now, you can. Inspired by The Open Notebook’s vaunted Peeps Diorama Contest, and in the spirit of a holiday bake-off, DCSWA is proud to present a festive treat decorating contest!
This contest is going to be all about how the entries look and not how they taste. You don’t need to celebrate a December holiday to participate. You don’t have to be a veteran baker. You don’t even have to make the baked goods yourself. You just have to love science and want to spend time experimenting with pastries, frosting, and craft supplies, whether they’re made from scratch or bought at the grocery store.
Contest Rules:
Sweet baked holiday treats should be decorated to depict something related to science. That could mean a scientist, a scientific concept, a big event in science history, or a scene depicting science in action.
Entries must be made by a DCSWA member in good standing. DCSWAns’ family members and kids are encouraged to participate.
New entries only. As for a contest that would be held at an in-person holiday party, we ask for fresh creations, please.
The competition will have two categories: one for pastries and treats that are store-bought, and one for treats baked at home. Baked goods need not be made of gingerbread or other holiday-specific ingredients. When entering, choose the category that you feel best describes your project.
Non-edible craft supplies may be used to decorate treats, but the foundation of the entry itself must be something edible, such as rugelach or cupcakes.
Those with dietary restrictions may submit a food item of any sort that aligns with their needs.
DCSWA reserves the right to disqualify entries deemed libelous or inappropriate.
How to enter:
Fill out DCSWA’s entry form on Google Forms. You must sign in with a Google Account to access the form. DCSWA cannot see any login or password information.
If you do not have a Google Account, please email your entry to president@dcswa.org.
This is the information required to enter:
- Photo of the project
- Category (store-bought or homemade)
- Title of the creation
- Brief description of how it relates to science (max 150 words)
- Names of the people who worked on the project
Entries will be accepted until 10:00 PM ET on Sunday December 12th.
Selection of winners and honorable mentions:
DCSWA members will select the contest winners by popular vote. Members need not be registered for the DCSWA holiday party in order to vote.
Members will vote for one winner in the “store bought” category and one in the “baked at home” category. When casting their vote, members may also suggest honorable mentions. DCSWA will select honorable mentions at its discretion.
Voting begins on December 13th and ends at the holiday party on December 16th.
Prizes:
Winners will get first pick of DCSWA’s special prize stash. Each winner will select one book or board game as their prize. Winners and honorable mentions will each receive a snazzy prize certificate and eternal bragging rights.
Everyone who registers for the party will get entered to win a chance to pick from DCSWA’s grab-bag of science-themed prizes. DCSWA will mail prizes directly to the address winners specify.
Permissions:
By submitting an entry, you give DCSWA permission to use your name and the photo of your creation on its website and on its social media channels. You also certify that you have the right to grant DCSWA permission to use the photo.
Tips and How-Tos:
If you’ve never decorated desserts before and don’t know where to start, the internet is your friend. The Gluesticks Blog’s cookie decorating tutorial is designed for kids and adults. We also love Borderlands Bakery’s tutorial on icing because it’s easy to follow and includes public health messaging we can all get behind.
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