Surface Coatings Group poster prize
Recognising the use of chemistry in coatings which is ubiquitous in our everyday environment.
Details
| Status | Open |
|---|---|
| Nominations opening date | 01 October 2025 |
| Nominations closing date | 31 January 2026 |
| Nominee location | UK and Ireland |
| Career stage | School students |
Awarded by the Surface Coatings Group
The group aims to provide a network for members at any stage in their career with an interest in chemistry and natural sciences applied to surface coatings. The members participate in many different aspects of the industry, from basic research and raw materials development through to formulation and applications research.
About this prize
The use of chemistry in coatings is ubiquitous in our everyday environment, from the scratch resistant coatings on smartphones to printing on food packaging, but most often goes unnoticed by us on a day-to-day basis. This poster competition will give you the opportunity to research and highlight the valuable contribution that coatings deliver to a sustainable way of living.
The competition is open to both solo applicants and teams up to 3 people. The competition is open to applicants from the following academic background. A level, Scottish Higher or Irish Leaving Certificate or those working towards a level 3 qualification.
The competition is open from 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026. We are accepting poster submissions via email as either a PDF or PowerPoint or as a photo of a handmade poster.
For the competition you should pick one of the following three topics to base your poster on, or another topic of your choice that discusses sustainability and coatings. There are resources available for each topic area to guide and aid you in your submission in this downloadable document. Please note the resources provided are external websites and therefore the RSC is not responsible for any content on these sites.
How can Coatings Contribute and Improve to Energy Efficiency?
Coatings can reduce energy use by keeping buildings cooler or warmer, protecting surfaces, and improving how things work. Show your ideas on how coatings can save energy and help the environment. Create a clear and simple poster to explain how coatings make a difference!
Prizes
Prizes and certificates will be emailed to the team leader to share with the rest of the team. Streams 1 and 2 will have the same prize structure per application.
- 1st Prize: 拢250 of Amazon Vouchers + digital certificate Sponsored by IOP Thin Films and Surfaces Group (TFSG)
- 2nd Prize: 拢150 of Amazon Vouchers + digital certificate
- 3rd Prize: 拢75 of Amazon Vouchers + digital certificate
- Highly commended entries: Digital certificate
Submissions will be assessed by a judging panel made up by industry experts and world-renowned academics.
Judging Panel
Ben Allsopp
Ben completed his PhD developing fluorescent glasses to improve solar cell performance. Since then, he has gained 10+ years' experience developing coatings for various applications, such as optical metasurfaces, antireflective coatings for infrared camera systems, and hydrophobic materials. Currently he is a materials and coatings engineer developing flexible, anti-reflective and scratch resistant coatings for a variable power ophthalmic lens.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Rebecca Wilson
Rebecca is the research and development project leader at Scapa Industrial, Mativ. Scapa Industrials is a global supplier of bonding solutions, manufacturer of adhesive-based products and technical textiles for cable wrapping solutions.
Judging Criteria
Your poster submission will be assessed based on the following criteria. Posters may be assessed and shortlisted by any member of the Surface Coatings Special Interest Group. In the event of a tie, the lead judge will have the final decision.
| Criteria | Score | |
|---|---|---|
Appearance | Overall appearance | /5 |
鈥�&苍产蝉辫; | Content organisation and logical flow | /5 |
鈥�&苍产蝉辫; | Use of graphics / visuals | /5 |
Content | Content clear and easy to understand | /10 |
鈥�&苍产蝉辫; | Content relevant to topic | /10 |
鈥�&苍产蝉辫; | Evidence of independent study / originality & understanding of content | /10 |
Other | Good spelling/grammar | /5 |
鈥�&苍产蝉辫; | Overall | /50 |
How to submit your poster
The competition is open to both solo applicants and teams up to 3 people. We are accepting poster submissions via email as either a PDF or PowerPoint or as a photo of a handmade poster.
By submitting your poster, you accept the use of it on all RSC social media streams including the website.
Applications must be made by a qualified teacher who is employed by your school, or by a parent. Submissions should be emailed here with the subject of 鈥淩SC Poster 25/26 competition鈥�. For the submission filename please use the format TEACHERSURNAME_DATE. If you have multiple submissions per class, please also add an underscore numerical definition for example. WATSON_160724_1
The competition is open from 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026.
Submissions received after 31 January 2026 will not be entered into the competition.