What is this about?
A science slam is perhaps the most entertaining form of science communication. It is not a battle of wits but a friendly competition about who can win the audience over his or her area of research. In that aspect, it is much like a poetry slam spoken word event.
Typically, between four and eight contestants participate in a science slam.
Everybody has 10 minutes to convey the excitement of his or her research. It can be a funny talk, a story, some peculiar facts about biology: everything is allowed as long as it is both educational and entertaining.
That being said, it is not easy to distill the joy and curiosity in such a short talk to laypersons. The usual scientific talk is full of details and delivers high levels of complexity with no room for jokes and seldomly opportunities for painting the big picture.
Similarly, the typical science communication lectures are again a wholly different business. They are lacking the fast-paced, thrill-packed novelty of a science slam which is bursting with energy in packed 10 minutes.
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Is this for me?
This workshop is addressed to researchers who are curious about engaging with the public in an exciting format combining entertainment and education.
No previous knowledge is required. You will learn how to approach a talk for a science slam and identify successful strategies for conveying both your research problem and why you find it interesting to engage with it. The workshop provides you with a safe environment for drafting your science slam with guidance and feedback from experienced science slam participants. You will be able to perform your slam during the workshop and improve it so that your audience can experience an emotional connection with you and your research. Finally, there will be the opportunity to participate in the PIER graduate week science slam for those of you who want to get on the big stage!
Structure
The workshop will extend over two sessions with time in between for the creative process and for 1-on-1 coaching and feedback.
The first (online) session will take place on
April, 4th, 2pm - 4pm
and provides an introduction to public speaking, captivating your audience and the special aspects of the Science Slam format. We will have a closer look on some Science Slams together and identify different styles. This will help you to choose a format that suits both your personality and your research field.
After the first session, you are provided with a 1:1 coaching session in which you can sketch your idea of a science slam presentation and receive feedback from an expeienced Science Slammer. These sessions, which can take place online or on-site, will be scheduled individually.
The second group session will take place as a full-day on-site workshop on
April, 27th, 9am to 5pm in the DESY Lecture Hall in Bahrenfeld
(there will be breaks, don't worry ;-))
Here, you engage with other participants and practice your science slam in front of others.
Getting on Stage!
Like many of the Science Communication trainings we offer, this should not be a mere theoretical training. We actually plan to bring you on stage! Thus, participants are expected to perform their science slams at the
1st PIER Science Slam
on May 4, starting at 6pm
in the DESY Lecture Hall
This will be your chance to perform your Science Slam on stage!
This training is organized as a transferable skills workshop by the PIER Education Platform (PEP) and open to all PhD students or postdoctoral researchers in the fields of physics, mathematics or computer science at DESY or Universität Hamburg.
