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Talking Science competition

Creating a healthier, fairer, greener world.

 

 

Do you want to share your passion for using science to create a healthier, fairer and greener world? Are you a super science communicator in the making?

The Talking Science competition is open to all the undergraduate students at the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH).

To enter, you will be invited to upload a video recording of you or your group of up to three people talking on your chosen scientific topic, under one of the following competition categories:

  • A healthier world
  • A fairer world
  • A greener world

It’s that simple! Applicants will be invited to attend a virtual Talking Science Final Event, with the chance to win up to £500.

 

 

Information for entrants

Information on the timeline of the competition.

  • Competition launch:28 March 2023
  • Book an online Drop in Q&A session
    Session dates
    30 March: 12.00 – 12.30
    4 April: 12.00 – 12.30
    12 April: 10:30 – 11:00
    18 April: 12.00 – 12.30
  • Video submission deadline: 28 April 2023 (midnight)
  • Winners announced: 23 May 2023
  • Award ceremony and lunch: 8 June 2023

Who can enter?

All FBMH undergraduate students, either as individuals or as a group of up to three people.

 

Why enter?

  • Share your passion for science – discover, develop and demonstrate your ideas on how science can create a healthier, fairer and greener world, this is your opportunity to talk about a subject that really matters to you!
  • Access a unique opportunity to develop science communication, presentation, and public engagement skills, which comes with online training and support.
  • Video record your entry, meaning you’ll be able to show off to prospective employers or research supervisors after you graduate.

 

How to enter

  • Watch the training resources listed below
  • View winning entries from last year for inspiration
  • Attend one of the drop in sessions for further info
  • Record your three-minute video
  • Submit your entry using our online entry form

Please make sure you read the competition rules and judging criteria below before you enter.

 

 

Please make sure you read the competition rules and judging criteria below before you enter.

Competition rules

You should create a three-minute (max) video of you or your group talking on a scientific topic of your choice, under one of the following competition categories:

  • A healthier world
  • A fairer world
  • A greener world

It is not compulsory to reference the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), but entrants are encouraged to engage with them in developing their talk. Learn more about how the University is engaging with the SDGs.

Videos should be spoken word only – no poems, raps or songs.

Props are permitted, but PowerPoint slides are not.

The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging criteria

The content of the talk must be scientifically accurate. If the chosen topic has controversy or uncertainty surrounding it, then your talk must acknowledge opposing views.

The scientific topic presented should be chosen to suit public audiences. Content must refer to one of the three themes – science for:

  • a healthier world
  • a fairer world
  • a greener world

Clarity

Being clear is essential for effective science communication. Good structure and use of language that makes sure the public audience and judges can follow the talk are important.  

Charisma

Your talk should leave the audience and judges inspired and enthused about science.

Talking Science has been designed to provide students with the tools and abilities to communicate to a wider audience.

They will discover, develop and demonstrate their scientific ideas on one of three themes: a healthier, fairer or greener world. They will create a three-minute ‘talking science’ video.  Specialist science communication training can be viewed in the resources below

Information for staff

Talking Science has been designed to provide students with the tools and abilities to communicate to a wider audience.

They will discover, develop and demonstrate their scientific ideas on one of three themes: a healthier, fairer or greener world. They will create a three-minute ‘talking science’ video. 

 

What are the benefits?

 

For further inspiration view our winning entries from 2022:

 

 

 

Resources for participants

Access resources to help you with your competition entry.

Videos: Content, Presenting and Recording

Looking for some further guidance? Watch videos from Dr Jamie Gallagher, Science Communicator and previous international 3MT winner, who will show you how to turn your ideas into the most interesting, engaging and memorable presentation possible.

UCIL Taster Units

You can also register for a free University College for Interdisciplinary Learning (UCIL) Taster Unit on ‘Creating a Sustainable World’.

UCIL enables undergraduates to study beyond the boundaries of their degree programme. The taster units give you a chance to find out how UCIL’s online units work and are designed to be accessible for all students, no matter what degree you’re studying.

USL Taster Units

UN Sustainability Development Goals

While it’s not compulsory to reference the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), entrants are encouraged to engage with them when developing your talk.

UN Sustainability Development Goals at Manchester

 

 

Contact us

Please get in touch with the Faculty Social Responsibility team if you have any questions about the Talking Science competition.

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