The 2021 Science Technician of the Year (STOTY) Awards are brought to you by Gratnells and the application process will open on 5th July 2021. Like last year, the entry process has been simplified, the prizes are richer and there is once again the option to enter individually or as part of a team.

Do you or your colleagues have what it takes to the 2021 Science Technician of the Year? Here’s everything you need to know:

How to enter
At the first stage of application, we ask you to submit three photos showcasing your day-to-day work as a school science technician. You should show us anything from your biggest achievements, to activity preparation, to your tidy preproom – as long as it showcases your role and what you bring to it.

What happens next?

All initial submissions will be reviewed and a short list will be decided. If your application is shortlisted, you will be contacted by a member of the Gratnells team or judging panel and asked to complete a short personal profile and supply details of a personal stand-out project. Once the shortlisted applicants have submitted their profiles, a member of the judging panel will contact you for a short phone call to talk to some more about your role and your application. From there, the judging panel will meet (virtually) to discuss photos, profiles and the interview outcomes and will select winners for each category.

What are the categories?
In 2021, there will be a UK winner, UK 2nd place, UK 3rd place and an International winner. We will also award a winning team.

What are the prizes?
UK 1st place winner • £300 cash and a £500 voucher to spend with Gratnells • Award and certificate, Gratnells mini tray set and a TeaTray for the staffroom

UK winning team • £500 cash and an £800 voucher to spend with Gratnells • Award and certificate for the team, Gratnells mini tray set for each team member and a TeaTray for the staffroom

UK 2nd place winner • £250 cash and a £400 voucher to spend with Gratnells • Award and certificate, Gratnells mini tray set and a TeaTray for the staffroom

UK 3rd place winner • £150 cash and a £300 voucher to spend with Gratnells • Award and certificate, Gratnells mini tray set and a TeaTray for the staffroom

International 1st place winner • £300 cash and a £500 voucher to spend with Gratnells • Award and certificate, and a Gratnells mini tray set

When will the winners be notified?

Winners will be notified by email in November 2021.

What happens after the winners are notified?

Once all winners are notified, we will announce them via our website and social media, and in local press. As we’re unable to commit to travelling to visit the winner, we ask that winners share some photos with us once they receive their awards/certificates in time for the announcement.

The small print

By submitting images to the Gratnells STOTY Awards, you consent to your images being used by Gratnells and Preproom in promotional material. All information submitted will be shared between the judging panel and Preproom and should be true and honest. Your information will not be shared with any third-party associations. By entering the STOTY Awards you consent to being contacted regarding your application via email or phone. By entering the STOTY Awards you will be added to the Gratnells mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time. Any pictures taken during winners presentations will be shared on the Gratnells and Preproom social media platforms and will be used for PR purposes.