Research

The Research activity is an opportunity for participants to go deeper in their faith. They will research, exchange ideas, and improve their communication skills.

Guidelines:

• The research activity could be a solo or group activity for school year 3 and up 

• Group size is 2-7 participants

• You cannot use AI tools like ChatGPT or other text/image/video generators to create any part of your submission. The judges will use detection tools to check for AI-generated content, and any such content will be disqualified.

• The research paper must be related to the Festival theme.

• Below is a list of suggested topics that connect with this year’s theme.

• Submissions must be in digital format, using Arial 12-point font with double spacing. Diagrams with references can be included, but they will not be counted towards the total page limit. Include a plain title page clearly stating your church, your name, age group, and the title of your work.

• Word count per age group:

  • YR.3 and 4: 200-300 words

  • YR.5 and 6: 600-800 words

  • YR.7 to 9: 1200-1500 words

  • YR. 10 to 13: max 2000 words

  • Adults: max 3000 words

• Word count should be added at the end of the research file.

• The research project can be presented as a poster, brochure, or essay. For participants in Year 10 and above, as well as adults, the project must be submitted in the form of an essay.

• A bibliography must be included with the submission, but it will not be counted towards the final word count.

•  The work must be original and written by the participant. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and will result in a lower score. If the content is deemed inappropriate for the participant's age level, the work will be disqualified.

• Please upload your submission to the Google Drive folder for your respective age group.

Steps for research:

• Select a topic and think of a specific thesis (have a question your research will answer)

• Choose appropriate resources (books, online publications, etc.)

• Identify the key information you will use and its source (through highlighting, annotating, etc.)

• Reword the key information in your own words

• Add the reworded information to your final copy

• Include your source in your bibliography

Evaluation Criteria:

• Is your research relevant to the essay title. 70%

  •  Relevant contents 20%

  • Depth of the contents 20%

  • Logical flow of the discussion 15%

  • Theological accuracy 15%

• Writing Conventions (Spelling, punctuation and grammar): 10%

• Presentation of the Research: 10%

• Bibliography: 10% 

Topics:

Age group 3 to 4:

• Standing Strong in My Faith: Explore what it means to stay firm in what you’ve learned about Jesus and the Church. Share who teaches you about God and how you can keep learning and growing.

• Bible Heroes Who Stayed Firm:  Choose a Bible story where someone stayed strong and did not give up their faith (like Noah, Joseph, or Daniel) and explain how you can learn to stay firm like them.

•  What I Learned in Church: Describe what you have learned in Sunday School and how it helps you to stay firm in your faith.

•  The Armor of God:  Learn about the Armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and how each part helps you stay firm in what you believe.

• My Church Family Helps Me Stay Strong: Describe how your family, priests, deacons, and teachers help you grow in faith and encourage you to hold onto what you’ve learned.

•  The Coptic Martyrs of Libya: Heroes Who Stayed Firm : Learn the story of the 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya and how they stayed strong and faithful to Jesus until the end.

Age group 5 to 6:

• What Does It Mean to “Stay Firm” in Our Faith?: Research the verse’s meaning and apply it to your life. Explore how prayer, reading the Bible, and listening to your parents and priests help you stay firm.

• Saints Who Never Gave Up Their Faith: Research the life of a Coptic saint who remained strong in their faith despite hardship (e.g., St. George, St. Demiana, St. Marina).

• The Importance of Learning About Our Faith: Explain why it is important to keep learning about the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Bible, and the lives of saints.

• The Apostles’ Teachings: How the Early Church Stayed Firm: Learn how the Apostles taught the faith and how early Christians remained strong even when facing danger.

• The Story of the 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya: Research the modern story of the 21 Coptic martyrs and how they stayed firm in their faith despite facing death

Age group 7 to 9:

• The Faith of the Martyrs: How They Stayed Firm: Research a Coptic martyr’s story and how they stayed firm in what they believed.

• The Coptic Orthodox Church: Guardian of the True Faith: Research how the Church has defended the faith through centuries of persecution.

• The Importance of Orthodox Tradition in Staying Firm: Investigate how Coptic prayers, liturgy, and teachings help us stay firm.

• St. Athanasius: Defender of the True Faith: Study how St. Athanasius stayed firm against false teachings.

• The Role of the Holy Bible in Helping Us Stay Firm: Explore why reading and living by the Bible helps us remain firm.

• The Coptic Martyrs of Libya: A Modern Witness of Steadfast Faith: Research the story of the 21 Coptic martyrs and how their witness strengthens the faith of Copts around the world today.

Age group 10 to 13:

• The Apostolic Tradition: Staying Firm in the Teachings of the Apostles Research how the Coptic Orthodox Church preserved the apostolic faith.

• The Impact of Persecution on the Coptic Identity: Study how centuries of persecution helped Copts remain strong in their faith.

• Modern Challenges to Faith and How to Stay Firm: Analyse modern challenges to faith and how young Copts can stay firm.

• The Role of the Early Church Fathers in Defending the Faith: Research how figures like St. Cyril, St. Basil defended the faith.

• Why Learning Theology Matters: The Danger of Losing What We Have Learned: Explore why theological learning is essential to staying firm in faith.

• The Coptic Martyrs of Libya: Martyrdom in Our Time: Analyse the story of the 21 Coptic martyrs, the significance of their witness, and how they became an example of steadfast faith in the modern era.

Adults:

• The Preservation of Faith Through Coptic History: Research how the Coptic Church preserved the faith despite centuries of oppression.

• The Role of Discipleship in Staying Firm: Study how spiritual mentorship helps believers remain steadfast.

• Faith and Reason: Defending Orthodox Beliefs in Today’s World: Research how modern Orthodox Christians can defend their faith.

• Martyrdom and Witness: The Price of Staying Firm: Investigate how the Coptic Church’s history of martyrdom testifies to staying firm in faith.

• The Spiritual Disciplines That Help Us Stay Firm: Explore how prayer, fasting, confession, and Scripture study help us stay firm.

• The 21 Martyrs of Libya: A Testament of Faith and Identity: Research the broader significance of the Libya martyrs for Copts and Christians around the world and how their witness calls us to stay firm today.