Twelve participants have made it through to the national finals of FameLab, the world’s largest science communication competition, taking place on Saturday at Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), in Education City.
Contestants, divided into two categories - ‘Young Scientists’ and ‘Aspiring Scientists’ - will deliver a three-minute presentation on a subject of scientific interest to a public audience and a panel of judges. They will be judged on content, clarity, and charisma.
The winner from the researchers and teachers category, ‘Aspiring Scientists’, will represent Qatar in the international FameLab final in the UK at the Cheltenham Science Festival in June.
Student winners from the ‘Young Scientists’ category will go to the London International Science Youth Forum (LIYSF) and meet with young scientists from countries around the world.
This is the first time the competition has come to the GCC region, and it has materialised due to the combined efforts of the British Council and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a member of Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D), as well as the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Qatar University, and HBKU.
QNRF helps to foster a scientific culture that supports QF’s mission to build Qatar’s innovation and technological capacity, while positioning the nation as a hub of excellence.
“The FameLab offers an excellent platform for young people and young scientists in the country to communicate their passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and engage their peers both regionally and internationally,” said QNFR executive director Dr Abdul Sattar al-Taie.
“Qatar is pioneering STEM subjects by being the first GCC partner country to deliver FameLab. We firmly believe this engaging competition will not only connect young Qatari people with the global science communication movement, but also prepare them to build a knowledge-based economy, envisioned by the Qatar National Vision 2030,” he added.
British Council country director Frank Fitzpatrick observed that science is crucial to tackling major global challenges, and a public understanding of science is essential to build support, funding, and encourage the next generation of researchers.
“The British Council is delighted to be working with QNRF through FameLab to develop communication skills in Qatari scientists and help them engage the public and policy makers with their research,” he stated.
More than 65 students, 45 teachers, and 55 researchers applied to take part, attending pre-event communication training. Entrants were then required to participate in two competition heats held at Qatar University and then the headquarters of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.