Three minutes of fame: Bringing science to society
If you’re looking for a good news story — look no further than FameLab South Africa
Here in South Africa, right under our noses, gold is being extracted from old mine dumps using wheat; mathematics is finding cures to complex diseases; cigarettes are being given incongruous new lives as water filters and ultra-strong ceramic materials are paving the way for space travel. A generation of young scientists from across the continent is truly changing the world, and it’s time we heard more about it!
FameLab SA 2017 is bringing good news — cutting-edge, decidedly brilliant news — from the lab to the public. It inspires, motivates and develops talent for young scientists and engineers to actively engage with society. Participants are required to present a scientific topic or concept to a public audience and a panel of expert judges in no more than three minutes, a format similar to that of the many popular “reality” singing competitions that dominate our entertainment airwaves. Talks can be supported by props, but it is emphasised that the power of the presentations should rely on the scientists’ storytelling skills rather than the text-heavy slideshow option. Participants are judged on the scientific content, the clarity of presentation and the charisma they bring to the stage. The challenge posed is that talks should be accurate and informative but also entertaining and original, while ensuring that the audience understands the subject matter.
On April 19, 2017, 10 passionate young scientists will gather in Johannesburg for the 2017 FameLab finals, and you are invited! The finalists were selected from a group of 20 semi-finalists, following a nationwide search involving 15 universities and research institutes, including dynamic science communication training and heats across the country. The international competition, which started in 2004 and now spans 30 countries, is a programme of the UK Cheltenham Science Festivals and includes dynamic science communication training and heats across the country, and a science communication Master Class from a FameLab-accredited UK trainer. The competition is supported locally by Jive Media Africa, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (Saasta) and the British Council, and hosted by participating institutions.
This year, the competition is rich and diverse, tackling a wide range of topics in varying fields, all of which impact the real world in very tangible ways. They are the representative voices of the young science community here in South Africa, using FameLab as a platform to not only share their science with wider audiences, but also to learn and develop their own science communication skills.
Among the intriguing talks, you will meet University of the Free State finalist Oluwasegun Koluyo, who will spend his three minutes enlightening the audience about his work on the Candida fungus and its complications in patients with HIV; Engineers Without Borders member Saneliswa Magagula is set for a relevant and inspiring presentation on her work in sustainable biomass energy production; Rhodes PhD student Aviwe Matiwane has three minutes to incite passion about fossil plants, the dinosaurs of the botanic world; and Rustenberg theatre-goer Tshiamo Legoale (from Mintek) will present her groundbreaking research on gold hyper-accumulation through smallscale agriculture initiatives.
These charismatic experts and their peers will be competing for a chance to present their science at the FameLab International final at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK, taking place from June 5–9 this year. This coveted prize provides an international platform for sharing some of the innovative research taking place across South Africa at the institutes of higher education and the research organisations who have partnered with the British Council, Saasta and Jive Media Africa to support public engagement in science.
The public is invited and welcome to attend the South African finals, taking place at 10am at Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Johannesburg on April 19 2017. The event is sure to enlighten, motivate and inform audiences about the monumental contributions South Africa’s young scientists are making in the global scientific research arena.