Famelab Mauritius 2018 ©

British Council

About Famelab

FameLab is a competition for scientists, mathematicians,engineers and technologists to talk about an aspect of their science in 3 minutes in front of a live audience and a panel of judges. Competitors can use any props that they can carry with them on stage (but not Powerpoint). They can sing, dance, draw, talk, do demos and tricks – as long as it is all scientifically sound.   

FameLab originated in the UK, but became a multi-national competition in 2007. It is the world’s largest science communication competition. 31 countries participated in 2017.  All participants in Mauritius will receive 1 day communication training before they perform.  All finalists will receive Masterclass training in science communication, delivered by an expert trainer from the Cheltenham International Science Festival.    

The national winner will attend the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK in June 2019 for the international final. There will be follow up support activities to support a nascent and growing network of science communicators in Mauritius.

Rules of entry

Participants must be 18 or over and working or studying in a Science, technology, Engineering or Mathematics discipline. Participants must be available for:

  • Heats
  • Communication training
  • Masterclass science communication training for finalists
  • National final
  • International final

 You can contact us Events@mu.britishcouncil.org 

Why FameLab in Mauritius

As an Indian Ocean island, it is critical that Mauritius achieves its aim of becoming a knowledge economy, with a workforce geared up to add value in key technical areas including the sciences.  FameLab is an international programme proven to inspire interest in science in young people. FameLab makes science more attractive to school-age children, by highlighting the wonder of science and removing jargon.  

FameLab motivates and develops the capacity of young scientists and researchers to actively engage with the public and stakeholders. Participants not only change the common stereotype of science and scientists but they also promote, and justify funding, for their research.   

The winner of FameLab Mauritius 2017, Roshnee Rajkomar, made it through the International FameLab semi-finals to the International finals. 

FameLab will become an annual event in Mauritius with the opportunity for wraparound activities, centred on the growing network of FameLab alumni.

 

Dates for key events

  • Applications open from 18 December 2017 to 10 March 2018
  • Communications workshop (one day training): TBC
  • Heats: TBC
  • Masterclass science communication training for finalists: TBC
  • National final: TBC
  • National winner to UK for international finals: 4th to 11th June 2018

     

Details of prizes and training

  • Applications open from 12th April 2019 – 15th April 2019 
  • Communications workshop (one day training): 18th April / 19th April 
  • Heats: 25th/26th April 2019 
  • Masterclass science communication training for finalists: 3rd/4th May
  • National final: 10/11 May or 17/18 May 2019 (TBC)
  • National winner to UK for international finals: 4th to 9th  June 2019