FameLab 2012

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	FAMELAB 2012 COMPETITION


	Finding the new face of science

There was an old lady called Wright
who could travel much faster than light.
She departed one day
in a relative way
and returned on the previous night.

Lyrical physics? Dance biology or chemistry told with help from tightrope walking? Only your imagination is the limit. FameLab 2012 is a project for researchers who are not afraid to think in a non-standard way and have a bent for communicating science.

How to relate the field you explore and do it live, on stage? How to do it so that the jury and the audience is not bored and starts yawning? This is the challenge. It is an art to clarify a scientific issue to a non-specialist audience in an accessible and attractive way, using only minimal props (Power Point sucks!) and with only three minutes to do so.

It is worth taking a chance though as the stakes are high. Those who can interest the audience with and enthuse them about science, avoiding the routine of lecture halls and scientific jargon, will be awarded for their efforts 30.000 PLN for future research and 5.000 PLN for use at the winner’s own discretion. All finalists will attend a professional training in science communication. It’s not a bad rate for 180 seconds of work.

Why not have a go? FameLab is a world format - since its birth at Cheltenham Science Festival in 2004 has grown into arguably the world’s leading science communication competition. A partnership with the British Council since 2007 has seen FameLab go global and over the years has been held, to huge acclaim, in 20 countries world-wide.

Join us. Prove yourself. Show that a scientist is charismatic and can inspire others. People need to understand researchers’ work in order to accept the changes that the development of science brings.

Take part in it. Gain new skills and reach out for awards.

VISIT US ALSO AT WWW.FAMELAB.ORG.PL!

		Am I eligible?

TO ENTER FAMELAB 2012 YOU MUST BE:

at least 18 years old,
studying or working in the field of science and/or engineering,
studying or working (private or public sector) in Poland,
affiliated with an academic institution continuously involved in scientific researches,
speaking Polish on a communicative level,
speaking English on a communicative level.

WE WELCOME:

Lecturers and researchers in science and/or engineering subjects, including specialist science teachers with a science degree (their presentation must be aimed at a general adult audience),
Researchers using existing research or meta-studies - they do not need to conduct this independently,
People who work on the practical day-to-day application of science, technology or mathematics - for example, patent clerks, statisticians, computer technicians, consultants to industry,
University students of science and/or engineering (over 18 years old),
Those involved in the practical application of science and/or engineering in the armed forces or government bodies,
Those involved in the practical application of science and/or engineering in industry or business.

UNFORTUNATELY WE CAN'T ACCEPT PEOPLE WHO ARE:

Press or PR officers, even for science-related organisations
Artists who work on science-related themes
Performers whose shows are about science or engineering
Science centre staff who work exclusively or mainly with the public
Journalists and broadcasters (as their main or only job)
Non-specialist school teachers
Social sciences students / lecturers,

Make sure you read FameLab regulations.

If you are still not sure whether you are eligible or have any other questions – email us.

		How do I enter?

Download the registration form , fill it in,
make a maximum 3-minute long video presenting a topic from the field of the pure sciences or engineering. The video has to be in one of the following formats: vmv, quicktime, divx/xvid, avi, compressed with audio-video codices open for general use and of a maximum size of 50 MB (the quality of the video will not be taken into account). The video cannot: be edited in any way and contain any special effects, show other people than the presenter, require use of excessive props, contain any background music (unless the music is the topic of the presentation),
send both by email to famelab@kopernik.org.pl between 1 December 2011 and 31 January 2012.

We will contact you by email to confirm the receipt of your application and video and inform whether you were selected to enter the next stage of the competition.

If invited - come to the audition and present any scientific topic to our panel of judges. Don't forget to bring your family and friends along to watch and support you!

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE COMPETITION?

You will be given a maximum of 3 minutes in which to impress the judges. They are looking for exciting and engaging talks (in Polish) that can be understood by a general public adult audience. Minimal props are allowed but there is no set up time or assistance. Power Points presentations are not permitted.
Prepare two 3-minute presentations one for the auditions and another for the final if selected from the shortlisted group.
An audience of the general public will be present.
The judges will be able to question you after each presentation and will also give you feedback where possible.
Up to 10 finalists from the heat stages will be chosen to go through to a Masterclass and then onto the National Final on 19 May.
During the final you will be asked to give another 3 minute presentation on a contemporary science topic that is different from those used at the earlier heat stages.
The judges will be able to question you on the topic and give feedback. An audience will be present who will be involved in the selection process.

JURY

There will be leading figures from the world of science and media at the auditions and the final. They will assess your presentations according to the ”three C’s rule”: CONTENT (MUST be scientifically accurate!), CLARITY (structure, intelligibility) and CHARISMA (leaving your audience inspired and enthused about science).

We will announce the judges’ names closer to the competition date .

WHAT DO I WIN?

The finalists will win a 2-day masterclass in science communication. You will work with UK and Polish science communicators and media trainers to develop your media and presentation skills. See a video from the Serbian Masterclass with Malcolm Love who trained - among others - the BBC journalists,
The Winner of the Polish edition of FameLab will participate in the FameLab International Final held in Cheltehnam, UK, a part of the Cheltenham Science Festival, one will also receive a money prize,
The Winner of the 2nd place of the Polish edition of FameLab will receive a money prize,
The Winner of the 3rd place of the Polish edition of FameLab will receive a material award,

but first and foremost you will definitely win the appreciation of the audience for your passion for science! Each of the 10 finalists of the Polish edition of FameLab has also the chance of winning the Audience’s Award.

City	date/time	venue	Deadline for application
AUDITIONS Warsaw	3 March 2012	Copernicus Science Centre 20 Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie St.	1 December 2011 – 31 January 2012
MASTERCLASS	21-22 April 2012	Information will be provided closer to the date-	-
NATIONAL FINAL Warsaw	19 May 2012	Copernicus Science Centre 20 Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie St.	-
INTERNATIONAL FINAL Cheltenham, UK	16 June 2012	Cheltenham Science Festival, Town Hall	-

		How do I prepare?

Would you like to see the presentations by the international and UK FameLab finalists? Visit the FameLab UK website and watch the videos, then you will know what is expected of you.

You can find those videos also on YouTube.

Do not forget to practise your presentations in front of your family and friends – they might not even know why you find science so fascinating!

		WE'VE GOT FINALISTS - CHECK IT OUT!

FameLab semi-finals took place last Saturday, March 3, at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw. On the stage we had 6 chemists, 5 physicists, 4 biologists and biotechnologists, an architect and space engineers. From among 24 of them the jury nominated 10 finalists, whom we will see again on May 19:

1) Dariusz Aksamit (Warsaw)
2) Jan Jezierski (Gliwice)
3) Monika Koperska (Cracow)
4) Joanna Kreczko (Gdańsk)
5) Michał Krupiński (Cracow)
6) Jan Major (Częstochowa)
7) Monika Mętrak (Warsaw)
8) Katarzyna Pajerska (Nowy Targ)
9) Tomasz Wróbel (Cracow)
10) Marcin Zastawnik (Cracow)

More information on www.famelab.org.pl