The “Fame Lab” is a training program that aims to encourage and develop young scientists and engineers to communicate with the public and obtain support to fund their research.
What is Fame Lab
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is an interesting and enjoyable subject to learn, but it is not the easiest to explain and simplify. This is the idea of FameLab. Fame Lab is one of the largest science communication competitions in the world that started with an initiative from the Cheltenham Science Festival in the United Kingdom, and is organized in Qatar by the British Council and the Qatar National Research Fund in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
Contestants present a scientific topic in an interesting and innovative way within only three minutes without using any auxiliary tools such as PowerPoint or any other electronic presentation tools, but they can use the explanatory tools to a limited extent. The presentation should be scientifically accurate and interesting to the general public.
Why participate in FameLab?
FameLab Competition identifies, trains and mentors young scientists and engineers to enable them to communicate effectively in a world that depends on mass media.
You will also benefit from:
- The importance of presentation and presentation in front of the audience.
- Enhancing presentation skills.
- Training by the best scientific communication experts in the world.
- Communicating with others with the same scientific passion and others from different scientific backgrounds.
What are the stages of the FameLab Competition?
First stage: Complete the registration form before May 30, 2021
The second phase: Qualifying the selected applicants for initial training in scientific communication skills (one day only 10-13 June 2021)
Stage Three: Performances (one day only 5, 6 or 7 July 2021)
Fourth stage: Training at an advanced level of scientific communication skills for those qualified for the final stage by experts from the United Kingdom. (September 1 and 2, 2021)
Fifth stage: Final competition (04 October 2021)
Sixth stage: Representing Qatar in the International FameLab competition at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the United Kingdom (November/December 2021 to be confirmed later), and physical prizes for the second and third places.
What are the terms of FameLab?
The first rule is that you only have three minutes. Other rules you need to know are:
- The subject must be scientific, in the field of science, technology, engineering or mathematics
- You must be between 16-40 years old
- Each participant is given a maximum of three minutes to use in making an interesting and scientific presentation for the jury
- You may not use presentation software (PowerPoint)
- Illustrative instruments may be used to a limited extent, knowing that there is no additional time to put the instruments on stage
- If you make it to the local finals and performances you will need to prepare a second show (it is possible to use the same show but change the way the content is presented differently)
- The presentation will be individual and not group
- You must be a Qatari citizen or resident in the State of Qatar.
- Employees of the British Council and the Qatar National Research Fund and their first-degree relatives are not permitted to participate in the competition
What is scientific communication and what is its importance?
Communicating scientific ideas to a general audience is an increasing priority for researchers around the world. By doing so, they seek to change the world's stereotype about science, inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, as well as obtain support and funding for their research.
What are the goals of FameLab competition?
- Supporting Qatar National Vision 2030 in raising the level of participation in science and research.
- Providing a platform for young scholars to present and share their ideas in a clear and simple way.
- Building a culture that understands and supports the positive role that science plays in economic and social growth.
- Support and develop the scientific communication skills of students, teachers and faculty members in schools and universities in Qatar.