SCIENCE SLAM

BRING YOUR SCIENCE TO LIFE, PERFORM IT YOUR WAY

wHAT IS THE SCIENCE SLAM

Science Slam is a science communication platform, where scientists describe their research in a fun and engaging way to a general audience. It's a friendly 10-minute presentation competition and the audience decides the best slammer.

Did you know that the first Science Slam started was started by a group of German scientists presenting their research in a bar?

Nowadays, Science Slams are organised in many countries across the world and tell thousands of stories about science.

The Helsinki Science Slam is organised by the Science Basement.

13th science slam helsinki

You are all invited to come join us for the 13th Science Slam
on
6th Nov at G Livelab from 19:00 onwards

Want to become a slammer?
Apply here!

Previous slam goodies!

Still not sure what to expect at the science slam? Why not look at our previous slams?

12th science slam videos

Leonardo Almeida-Souza: "Cellular Logistics"

Anna Kormu: “Ripple, bubble, toil & trouble”

Manlio Fusciello: “Make your worst enemy become your best friend”

Brendan Battersby: "Genes Communication"

Milla Karvonen: “What you think is this thing we call Science?”

Frequently asked questions

How does it work?

Researchers present their research in a fun and engaging manner.
Each speaker has 10 minutes.
The audience votes for the best slammer.

Who can be a Slammer?

Basically, anyone doing research!

It can be a bachelor, master or a PhD student working on their thesis, a postdoc, a research scientist, a PI, a professor, a curator, a director of an institute, you name it! There is only one rule – a slammer should describe what they are studying or working on.

Creative how??

Costumes, theatre, music, experiments, storytelling are welcome. PowerPoint, videos, drawings, or self-made visuals can be used.

You can enact a small skit, sing about your research or show a live demonstration! You are the focus – not the slides.

Who is the judge?

The audience is the judge and jury! They will vote using an app after all the slammers are done with their presentations.

The Science Slam usually gathers audiences from very different backgrounds: there could be people from scientific institutes and universities, but also people without any knowledge of your research.

Tips for Slammers

Before the start, think about the main take-home message you would like to have in your talk
Facts tell, but stories sell: think about a good story to wrap your research in, and ask yourself, “Why could this be interesting to others?”
The introduction is the most important part. Plan enough time for it.
Engage with the audience emotionally: tell a personal story, an anecdote from your life as a researcher or tie it to already popular stories
Keep the language as simple as possible – it’s important to de-jargonize your talks and explain complex science in simple terms as you won’t have experts from your field.
Don’t forget to practice your presentation. We also offer coaching sessions for slammers where we give feedback and help slammers de-jargonize and build stories.
Be prepared, be relaxed, but most importantly – have fun!

Why even do Science Slams?

Science Slams spark curiosity and inspire people of all ages to engage with science. It allows scientists to communicate their research to a general audience, bridging the gap between academia and the public. It fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of science by showing what’s happening behind the scenes of research labs.

Participants also get to meet fellow researchers, educators, and the public, sparking conversations and collaborations. With a wide array of fascinating topics on display, Science Slam celebrates the awesome world of research and shows how it connects to our everyday lives!