It could really pay off for NAU undergraduate students to enter an annual essay writing competition challenging them to write about science and technology.

Up to three awards are given each year in NAU's annual Louis Agassiz Prize for Excellence in Writing. The first-place prize is $1,500. Second place will receive $1,000 and third place is awarded $500.

Students from all disciplines are encouraged to write an essay of no more than 2,000 words that addresses this year's theme, The Limits of Scientific Knowledge. That is, are there things that are in principle beyond the limits of scientific knowledge? Or can science ultimately reveal everything about nature?

Essays will be judged on the originality of ideas, persuasiveness, clarity and elegance of language.

Entries must be received electronically by Jan. 17.

For information, visit www.cens.nau.edu/agassiz.