The outcome of the ANCs long-awaited KwaZulu-Natal conference was a win for the Thuma Mina crowd. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
For many people science is something that exists almost in another reality; they might know that it is going on, but might not know how or even why. Science is often approached with the mind-set that scientists are people who wear white coats and do experiments — it is easy to overlook just how important science is to our everyday lives. Yet science and technology touch each one of us, and science communication is crucial for a knowledge-empowered public, and for responsible and relevant science.
FameLab is a science communication competition promoting interaction and dialogue between scientists and the public. FameLab was started in the UK in 2005 by Cheltenham Science Festival, and has since spread to over 30 countries across the globe. In 2013 Jive Media Africa brought the competition to South Africa through a partnership with the British Council, which owns the international licence. With strong support from the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, FameLabSA has been growing in popularity and prestige ever since.
The competition involves a series of heats, semifinals and finals, in which contestants give short presentations of scientific topics made understandable for the public. The heats are typically preceded by training sessions on science communication led by professionals.
For the competition, the contestants must choose a topic in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (Stem), and present it to an audience and a panel of judges. Their presentations are judged on “The 3 Cs”, namely their content, clarity and charisma. This means that their topics must be scientifically accurate, relevant and interesting; that they must be conveyed in way that is easy to understand for a lay audience; and that they must engage and connect with the audience.
Each contestant only has just three minutes to complete his or her presentation, meaning they have to be simple and to the point. PowerPoint presentations are not allowed, and, although props are allowed, they are limited to what can be carried by hand and no time is allowed for setting up. The contestants must rely on their ability to talk confidently about their subject without the aid of any graphs or diagrams, and be able to successfully convey their message to the audience. This is science made simple.
FameLabSA has become an asset to the advancement of science in the country since its inception in 2013. Not only has it provided these up-and-coming scientists with a platform to talk about their research, but has also given them invaluable experience, which will help them grow as scientists and professionals. FameLab is encouraging and creating a space for science communication, a much-needed tool in South Africa — and in the world — to bring scientists and the public together. Once the competition has ended, the skills that participants have developed and the experience that they have gained in the process will continue to enhance the communication of science.
Partnership opportunities are now open for FameLab 2017. Find out more at www.britishcouncil.org.za/famelab or email [email protected]