The quest to find a winner has begun. With the launch of the 1997/ 1998 European Schools Competition, students around the country will put their heads together and think hard over the next few days.

Their job - to come up with an inspiring presentation on the particular EU member State they have been assigned. The first prize is a trip to another EU member State.

Transition Year students and students of European studies from 55 schools will take part in a competition that aims to create an awareness of the different countries in Europe and the construction and evolution of the European Union.

The competition, which is organised by the Cork branch of the European Movement with the assistance of the Dublin branch, was piloted last year in Cork to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. Douglas Community School covered history, geography, economics, art, music and lifestyles in their winning presentation on Austria. Another school gave a bilingual presentation on Belgium. Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, used sound effects as well as a screen to embellish their presentation on Denmark. The Regina Mundi team made silver tinfoil "organ pipes" for the backdrop of their stand to represent the Sibelius monument in Finland.

This year the schools have already been assigned their EU member State. Their job now is to prepare work, which will be presented both verbally and visually at a regional final, to reflect various aspects of that country. The theme this year is "the impact of EU membership on the Member State and where it will be in the year 2010."

Regional finals will take place before the Christmas school holidays and the winning teams in each region will represent their school and region at an All Ireland final in April next year.