Competition strips away the scientific jargon

IT WILL BE research student against research student when the third annual Science Speak takes place at the Royal Dublin Society later this month. It will see PhD candidates from all seven Irish universities gather to compete in this national public understanding of science event for a top prize of €1,000.

The aim is to bring the latest developments in science to the people by having senior research students describe their work to a lay audience. The challenge is to be able to explain the work using ordinary language and without the use of scientific jargon.

The audience is very much involved in the proceedings, because they are encouraged to put questions to the speakers at the end of each presentation.

This really tests the competitors who have full rein over their own presentations, but have no control over the assortment of questions that can come from the audience. For this reason, Science Speak is a truly public event where anyone with an interest in things scientific is encouraged to come along and listen to the talks.

There is no requirement for any specialist scientific knowledge and any reader of this page should have no difficulty with the content of the presentations. Competitors are encouraged to make the maximum use of illustrations and props as appropriate.

RTÉ presenter Pat Kenny will once again be compère for the night, introducing the students and keeping them within the time limit for presentations. The panel of judges this year includes Peter Brabazon of Discover Science and Engineering, RTÉ meteorologist Evelyn Cusack, Robert Fossett of Fossett's Circus, RTÉ's education and science correspondent Emma O'Kelly and this reporter.

The Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin will present the prizes at the event. First prize this year is €1,000 and includes an opportunity to have the winning presentation reported in Science Today. Second prize is €300 and third prize is €200. The four runners-up will each receive €100 for their efforts.

All of the presenters can take pride in having reached Science Speak. They are already winners given each had to get through selection competitions to reach the Science Speak final.

This inter-varsity event is a joint initiative organised by the RDS and The Irish Times, in association with Irish Universities Promoting Science. It is supported by the Discover Science and Engineering programme and Wyeth Ireland at Grange Castle, Dublin.

• Science Speak takes place on Wednesday, April 30th at 7pm in the RDS Concert Hall.

• Admission is free of charge and is open to everyone. Tickets may be booked online at www.universityscience.ie or by telephone on 01-2407289. Last year's winner was Trinity College Dublin.