An entertaining, engaging way of making science simple – an unforgettable experience!
FameLab contestant
The next round of FameLab Greece kicks off in January 2015 – don’t miss the ninth consecutive year of our science communication competition!
What is FameLab?
FameLab is an international competition organised by the British Council that aims to find the best new talent in science communication.
FameLab was started in 2005 in the UK by the Cheltenham Science Festival and has quickly become established as a diamond model for successfully identifying, training and mentoring scientists and engineers to share their enthusiasm for their subjects with the public.
FameLab International is a truly global competition that has already seen more than 5,000 young scientists and engineers participating in over 23 different countries from Hong Kong to South Africa, and from Egypt to the USA, where NASA is our FameLab delivery partner.
The idea behind the competition is to take science out of the classroom and make it fun, and to encourage young people with a passion for science and technology to share their enthusiasm with the general public.
Greece has been an active participant in the competition since 2007. This year, the competition is part of our Athens Science Festival and is being organised in collaboration with Hub Science.
Watch videos of the finalists in our previous FameLab competitions:
www.youtube.com/user/famelabGreece
Am I eligible?
The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over who has a university degree – or who is studying for one – in a scientific field (e.g. science, technology, engineering, medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, finance or maths).
Join us and prove that you're charismatic and can inspire others. People need to understand researchers’ work in order to accept the changes that the development of science brings.
- Eligibility criteria (PDF, 64 kb)
How do I enter?
Complete and return the registration form via email, and then turn up at one of the qualifying rounds in Athens or Thessaloniki and present any scientific topic to our panel of expert judges. Impress them with your knowledge of science, clarity and charisma and you could be selected to compete in the final!
- Terms and conditions (PDF, 67 kb)
- Registration form (MS Word, 587 kb)
Deadline for submission of registration forms: 28 February 2015 (23.59)
What happens at the Qualifying Round?
You will be given a maximum of three minutes in which to impress the panel of judges by giving an entertaining and original talk that is both scientifically accurate and engaging to a non-scientific audience. Your talk may be in English or in Greek.
Props are allowed but you must be able to carry them on and off stage with you – there is no set-up time or assistance and no table to put them on. PowerPoint presentations are not permitted.
What exactly am I expected to do?
Inspire and excite public imagination by giving an entertaining and original talk in either English or Greek that is scientifically accurate in front of a live non-scientific audience.
The judges are looking for three qualities: content, clarity and charisma. So make sure your subject matter is well chosen and clearly put across, that your facts are correct, and that you let your passion for your subject shine through!
What happens at the Grand Final?
The finalists will be asked to give a new presentation of up to three minutes on a contemporary science topic that is different from that presented at the qualifying round. The judges will ask the finalists questions on the topic and give them feedback.
Who are the judges?
Leading figures from the world of science and the media
What are the prizes?
The participants chosen to go through to the final will be invited to a free Masterclass weekend in science communication led by experts from the UK and Greece.
The FameLab Greece winner chosen at the final will win an all-expenses paid trip to the UK for the Cheltenham Science Festival – taking place between 2 and 7 June 2015 – where he/she will compete in FameLab International 2015 together with the winners of the other FameLab competitions taking place around the world.
Other prizes
- 1st Prize: tablet
- 2nd and 3rd Prizes: mobile telephone
- Audience Award: the audience will vote for their own favourite finalist
- All the finalists will be given a number of networking opportunities with other science communicators in Europe and opportunities to take part in British Council events.
Qualifying Round: Athens
| When | Monday 2 March 2015, 19.00 |
| Where | The Hub Events 5 Alkminis Street 118 54 Athens |
| www.facebook.com/events/614596672003541 |
Qualifying Round: Thessaloniki
| When | Tuesday 3 March 2015, 18.00 |
| Where | British Council Emporiko Kentro Plateia (4th floor) 43 Tsimiski Street 546 23 Thessaloniki |
Masterclass
| When | Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 March 2015 |
| Where | Technopolis 100 Pireos Street 118 54 Athens |
Grand Final
| When | Saturday 21 March 2015, 19.00 |
| Where | Technopolis 100 Pireos Street 118 54 Athens |
| www.facebook.com/events/1418968355081034 |
And the winner is ...
Anastasia Ntracha this year’s winner and will represent Greece at FameLab International at the Cheltenham Science Festival, which is taking place between 2 and 7 June 2015. Anastasia is a 19-year-old electrical engineering student and this was her first time time competing in FameLab.
Chrysanthee Saliagkopoulou was placed second and Panayotis Lazos third. Panayotis also won the Audience Award.
Information
For further information, please contact us:
| Athens | Victoria.Kyriaki@britishcouncil.gr & 210 369 2337 |
| Thessaloniki | Chrysoula.Melidou@britishcouncil.gr & 2310 378 314 |