NUI Galway is calling on scientists and science enthusiasts to enter FameLab, the world’s largest science communication competition, held in 30 countries. For the fifth year running, one of four regional FameLab Ireland heats will take place in Galway on February 19, and once again the entrants are expected to be high calibre.
With science becoming increasingly specialised, those working in the field can struggle to explain their projects to colleagues, let alone the general public. And explaining what you do can be extraordinarily important. The FameLab competition, an initiative of the Cheltenham Science Festival, recognises this and challenges up and coming scientists, engineers, and mathematicians to explain a complex idea in a straightforward and engaging way.
The Galway event is being managed in by the British Council and NUI Galway, and forms part of the annual FameLab Ireland competition. The Galway competition is open to a whole range of people who apply, work on, teach or study science, including:
People who apply science, technology, engineering, or mathematics in industry or business.
People who work on applying science, engineering, technology, or mathematics (eg, patent clerks, statisticians, consultants to industry ).
Lecturers and researchers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, including specialist science teachers with a science degree.
University students of science, technology, mathematics, or engineering aged 18 and over.
People who apply science, technology, mathematics, or engineering in the armed forces or Government bodies.
Armed only with their wits and a few props, the top newest voices from the world of science and engineering across the region, the finalists in FameLab Galway heat will deliver three-minute pieces on bizarre, quirky, and pertinent science concepts. Expect to hear anything from why men have nipples to how 3D glasses work, and whether nuclear energy is a good or bad thing. Presentations will then be judged according to FameLab’s “three Cs” — content, clarity, and charisma.
Winning contestants from FameLab Galway will attend an all-expenses paid two-day communication masterclass over a weekend in March, and participate in the FameLab Ireland final held in Cork on Wednesday, April 15. The winner will represent Ireland at the FameLab international finals at the Cheltenham Science Festival with representatives from organisations such as NASA and CERN. By entering FameLab, participants will begin a journey with like-minded people, build their networks, expand skillsets essential for developing their career and, most of all, have a very enjoyable experience.
Training for FameLab Galway entrants will take place in Galway on Wednesday, January 29, with the regional heat scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, in An Taibhdhearc. To register for the training, complete the online registration form at www.eventbrite.ie/e/famelab-galway-training-tickets-86493669895 by Monday, January 27.
To enter the FameLab Galway heat, complete the online registration form at www.britishcouncil.ie/famelab/enter-competition/apply by Friday, February 8, or submit an entry to FameLab Ireland by online video; visit www.britishcouncil.ie/famelab for further details. The FameLab Galway regional heat is partnered with NUI Galway, GMIT, the Marine Institute, MET, Insight, CÚRAM, and Lero.
For further information about FameLab Galway contact Dr Lisa Murphy at [email protected] and follow @FameLab_Galway on Twitter.
