A couple of days ago I posted about this year's Group 4 project at UWCRCN. Students are going to measure electrical energy usage over a 24 hour period. The group that gets closest to the actual values will win a prize. In our school prizes are token, icecream or fruit, not very motivating. How about a cash prize? Say 100 Euros, that would be motivating but is it ethical?

• A real prize is more motivating.
• Real competitions such as the Norwegian young researchers competition offer cash prizes.
• If the project works it will save staff a lot of time and time means money.
• Real scientists are motivated by money
• Raising awareness of energy used could result in energy saving = money
• To have such a survey done professionally would cost money.
• We are saving a lot of money by using so little on the project.