Local bar hosts the regional heats of international science and entertainment contest
Starting on 8 February at 7pm, the Portland Arms will be hosting FameLab UK’s regional heats of the best and brightest scientific minds in the country.
Don’t worry, it’s not just for boffins. Contestants are given three minutes to present a topic in science, engineering or maths in an engaging way to a non-specialist adult audience. The idea is to find the new voices of their fields (think David Attenborough and Brian Cox). They have to be clear, correct and charismatic, and they’ll be judged by leading researchers, media personalities and science policy makers. The second heat is on 10 February, at The Portland, and ten participants will take part in the finals at Cambridge Junction on 9 March.
After that is the UK National Final on 25 April, with a £1000 cash prize on offer, £750 for a science communication activity, and the chance to compete against 25 other contestants from around the world at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival in June. The local heats will be co-ordinated by the Public Engagement Team at the University of Cambridge, ticket prices TBC.
