Judging Brief and Scoresheet Template

FameLab is a communication competition designed to engage and entertain by breaking down science including social sciences, technology, engineering and maths concepts into three-minute presentations. Participants from around the world take part armed only with their wits and (if they wish) a few simple props – the result is an unpredictable, enlightening and exciting way to encourage curiosity and expand people’s understanding of scientific topics and research.

It is as much about the importance of scientists/researchers developing their communication skills, as it is about reaching public audiences. As judges, you are considering how participants talk about their own chosen topic or research, and not specifically the uniqueness of their own actual research (if working in research). Please bear in mind that, as a judge, you represent an audience of mostly adults with an interest in watching scientific presentations, but who may have no specialist knowledge or expertise.

Rules of the competition

Each participant will give a three minute presentation on a science, technology, engineering or maths subject of their choice. They are not permitted to use PowerPoint or any other AV, but they are allowed to use whatever props they can carry ‘on stage’ with them. Although the competition will be online, we aim to keep to the structure of FameLab as closely as possible:

■ Their talk will be presented in one take – just as if they were on stage, they will not be able to restart unless in exceptional circumstances. Only if they have technical issues (their internet freezes or camera falls, for example) will they be allowed to restart their talk.

■ The usual rule of ‘no notes’ still stands. The judges will be able to tell if you are reading from notes or a script!

■ They are not allowed to use background animations, slides, graphics or green screen effects since these are not within the spirit and rules of FameLab.

■ Their talk must be no longer than three minutes. We can arrange for them to see a timer countdown on screen if this is helpful or do the usual ‘wave’ with 30 seconds remaining and a loud horn sound at three minutes, or if they would find this distracting, they can choose not to see the timer. The host will stop them if they go far beyond three minutes.

■ Any props they use must be able to carry themselves.

■ They may participate standing up or sitting down.

■ We suggest they wear whatever they would usually wear to the stage version of FameLab. As they would for the stage version, they have been instructed to avoid branded clothing and clothes or accessories that may be distracting or create unwanted sound that may be picked up by the microphone.

Judging criteria

You will be asked to score each participant - the scores are purely to help you in deciding the winners and should not be revealed to the participants or audience. You have been allocated a deliberation break near the end of the event to tally/discuss scores.

Remember we are looking for somebody who can shine in content, clarity and charisma:

■ Content: needs to be factually correct, but also well-chosen for a lay audience (not too obscure nor patronisingly simplified) and well structured as a “story”.

■ Clarity: as well as being understood, the subject should be put in context. Is this well-established knowledge, an exciting new piece of research, or a controversial theory?

■ Charisma: do they make you want to watch and listen to them? Try not to be too influenced by superficial things like choice of clothes that are easy to change. Were you sorry when they had to stop?

Please keep in mind that you are judging the participants’ ability to communicate science, not the worthiness of their research topic. You should balance all three areas (content, clarity and charisma) and not unfairly favour those who may be working in areas that immediately appeal from a social, humanistic perspective. Choosing to communicate a difficult concept can be more challenging and should also be considered!

The cultural value of bringing countries together through FameLab is powerful and celebrated; try to focus on whether the participant shines in content, clarity and charisma, and is engaging and entertaining, rather than being swayed by their English-speaking ability.

For FameLab competitions online, please consider how the participants have chosen to use this digital medium of communication to connect with their online audience. Rather than performing as if they were on a stage in front of a physical audience (as they would usually have done), we hope participants have adjusted their talks in response to this shift online but should not be judged on video or connection quality.

Questions

After each participant has performed their talk, the judging panel will have two/three minutes to ask questions. Although judges’ responses should be encouraging, resist giving compliments or criticism during the limited time for questions. There will be an opportunity for feedback later when revealing the winners.

We will explain in advance which judge will ask the first question to each of the participants (ensuring all judges get the chance to lead). This avoids some participants getting lots of questions, while others are met by judges all looking at each other hoping someone has something to ask!

Please relate questions to the talk you have just experienced, and do not be afraid to ask the obvious questions if you have misunderstood something or there was a gap in their explanation: pick up on content wherever possible, ask about details relating to the subject.

Please avoid questions that go beyond the presentation, such as why they chose their particular field of study, why is science communication important, what they hope to do next, why they became a scientist etc.

If nothing specific comes to mind, here are some examples of broader questions you might like to ask:

■ Where do you see this area of research going in the future? What applications will it have?

■ What impact do you think your work/what you’ve talked about has, or will have, on society?

■ What is the key takeaway message from your talk, and why do you think this is important?

■ Why do you think this topic/style of approach would appeal to a public audience?

■ You chose to use X prop to explain this – why do you think this is the best way to explain the science?

■ What inspires you about this subject?

Phases of the Competition

The Beginning

■ Host Organisations will discuss with all the judges beforehand and decide which one of you will each describe one of Content, Clarity and Charisma in your own words.

■ At the beginning of the event, the compere will ask you to introduce yourself, and give a very brief explanation of what you are looking for as a judge.

Competition Phase

■ The Compere will begin the event and introduce each judge.

■ Before welcoming each to the stage, the compere may say a few words about each finalist to introduce them to the audience.

■ When they have finished their three minute talk, they will need to stay in the same position while the compere invites questions from the judges for them to answer.

■ When they have finished answering the judges’ questions, the host will thank them and they will leave the stage.

■ The process is repeated until all the finalists have present their talks.

Judging Phase

■ After all the finalists have presented judges will leave the stage to deliberate in a Judges Room, where a member of the FameLab Team should l be on hand to help keep time.

■ While judges deliberate, the compere will entertain the audience and remind about the Prizes and the Audience vote (if there is one).

■ Judges will have 10-15 minutes to decide, please select one winner and two runners-up.

■ After you have decided, all the judges will return to the stage.

Results

PhaseAnnouncing the Winners

■ Upon the return of the judges, make the most of the suspense and drama around the announcement. Before announcing the winners, judges should give some general positive feedback about all the participants, (e.g. perhaps say what you were most impressed by) so that everyone leaves feeling positive!

■ Build up by starting with then the runners-up and then the winner of the audience vote and lastly the first-place winner, who should be allowed to make a few comments. Judges may wish to take it in turn to give general feedback.

■ The compere or a specially invited guest may be selected to announce the Audience Winner and present the prizes.

■ The head judge will announce the results, two runners up and one winner

– At the Host Organisation Regional Finals / National Semi Finals: These winners will go on to represent their region and take part in the National Finals.

– At the National Final: The winner will be crowned the FameLab Country National Champion and will go on to represent their country at the FameLab International Final online in November.