The theme for 2023 is “Producing Green, Consuming Clean”, commemorating 2023 as the International Year of Millets and aligning with global concerns about sustainability.

Your performance should combine scientific content and drama. Examples of some possible topics include but are not limited to the following:

1. Food sustainability and food security
2. Food wastage
3. Energy sustainability and accessibility
4. Recycling and upcycling
5. Efficient production and usage of water and energy

All participants must be age 12 or below, excluding teachers (up to 3 teachers per team) who can help as backstage crew.

To join the Petrosains Science Drama Competition 2023, simply:

1. Download and read through the full competition circular here
2. Follow the script template and declaration of original work/idea here
3. Each participant is required to fill up the consent form here
4. Fill up your entry form here (Closing Date: 2 June 2023)

COMPETITION INFORMATION
Q: Can teachers be in charge of multiple groups?
A: We highly encourage 1 teacher for 4 students during the Grand Final competitions at the Malaysian level and also internationally.

Q: What is the theme of this competition?
A: The theme is “Producing Green, Consuming Clean”. More info in the presentation pack here.

Q: I’m a rural schoolteacher from an under-enrolled school. Must the pupils be in Year 4 – 6 only?
A: Yes, Year 4 – 6 only.

Q: Which teachers should be in charge of the competition? Science or English teachers?
A: It can be collaborations between English and Science teachers. Teachers from other subjects can participate too. It depends on the arrangement by the schools.

Q: Are teachers’ participation compulsory in the drama or an option?
A: One teacher MUST accompany 4 students; therefore, it is compulsory for teachers to participate. However, teachers can only be the crew and not part of the cast.

Q: Can parents be involved in the competition?
A: Yes, especially if the teams do not have enough accompanying teachers.

Q: What is the minimum number of casts?
A: There is no minimum number of casts. The maximum cast, however, is 12 pax.

Q: Can a non-government school join this competition?
A: Yes, the competition is also open to private schools, international schools, clubs and societies, homeschools, and other educational institutions. However, participants will need to fulfill the requirements set by the Organisers and manage their own expenses for this competition.

Q: How do I get the latest announcement or info about this competition?
A: Kindly click the following link to join the WhatsApp Community

Q: Would there be certificate of participation awarded to participants?
A: Yes, all participants will be issued a participation certificate if the submission for participation is complete.

Q: What is the minimum number of minutes for the video recording for submission?
A: There’s no minimum number of minutes. 7 minutes is the maximum duration.

Q: Regarding the musical element, is singing and dancing allowed?
A: Yes, musical performance is allowed. We highly recommend participants to read through the judging rubrics highlighted in the presentation pack here (link to the file).

Q: After the preliminary rounds, do the teams who made it to the final need to pay for their own transportation and accommodation?
A: For public schools, MOE will pay for transportation and accommodation. Other participants will need to plan for their own expenses.

Q: If our school succeeds in going to the final (live staging), should it be the same drama that we do in the preliminary round?
A: Yes, students will need to perform the same drama in the finals, both at the Malaysian competition and internationally.

Q: How many entry forms should I submit if I’m sending more than one team?
A: Kindly submit one entry form per team. For example, if School A is sending 2 teams, School A should submit a total of 2 entry forms. Note: Should a school decide to register more than one team, there should be no repetition of cast members across the teams.

Q: Where is the competition?
A: The Petrosains Science Drama Competition will be held in Kuala Lumpur.

Q: In our submission, can we refer to more than just one Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)?
A: Yes, you are encouraged to relate your performance submission to one or more SDGs.

Q: Is the winning entry from Sweetly Dangerous available to watch on YouTube?
A: You can watch the recording from 2019 here: Youtube. It is also available here: Facebook

Q: Does the credit to the source need to be in the video itself or should the list be in the script only?
A: It’s better to have it in both platforms, but it must be in the script (link to the script template here).

Q: What is the range of acceptable video quality? 720p to 4K?
A: The submitted video recording must be at a minimum of HD Quality 1280×720 resolution with an aspect ratio of 16:9 (landscape only).

Q: How scientific should the script be? Do we need to include facts and figures?
A: It depends on the team’s creativity. If you find the facts and figures are significant for your storyline, you may do so.

Q: Is panning or zooming in/out allowed for the video recording?
A: Zooming or panning during recording is not allowed by any means.

Q: So, only one static view of the whole stage during the video recording for submission?
A: Yes.

Q: Are green screen and CGI allowed?
A: Green screen requires editing after recording the video, hence it will not be allowed. As for CGI, because it’s done before the performance/acting and then projected onto the backdrop for the performance, it is allowed.

Q: Is digital backdrop allowed?
A: Yes. Digital background can be used for a performance to enhance storytelling onstage.

Q: Can the backdrop use LCD projection?
A: Yes, highly encouraged. However, please take note that all digital backgrounds, presentations, and audio must be clearly visible in the video recording. The full performance recording must be done in a single continuous shot and should not be edited.

Q: Is the use of microphone allowed? Like wireless microphones that TikTokers use these days in producing their content?
A: Yes, microphones are allowed as long as the devices can capture the sound produced at its best.

Q: Can we record a few parts and then use software to combine all the video into one single video?
A: No, we will only accept a single shot live video recording only.

Q: Must the performance be recorded while on stage?
A: It is best to have the performance recorded on stage. If your school does not have a stage, you can use any closed space, such as a classroom, library, or any other suitable area within your camera’s range.

Q: Is outdoor setting allowed?
A: The scenes must be recorded on the school stage; hence, the outdoor setting is not allowed.

Q: Some schools in Sarawak do not have stage facilities. Any other options instead?
A: If there’s no stage, it is advisable to shoot at an area that is within your camera’s suitable range in a classroom, library, etc.

Q: For the video recording, do we need to record the whole stage (still camera) or can the cameraman be creative as to move around, zooming in/out during certain scenes?
A: Yes, you need to record the whole stage (still camera). Moving around and zooming in and out throughout the scenes are not allowed.

Q: How do I introduce the cast in the single shot video recording?
A: The cast introduction can be done during the first 2 minutes of the recording. The introduction is not included in the 7 minutes performance.

For full details, kindly download and read through the full competition circular here.