School Lab

The first SchoolLab Thailand winner joined our trip to visit the science festival in the UK

Our first SchoolLab Thailand winner, Mr. Thanapat Thanomdumrongsak from Khon Kaen Wittayayon School joined our trip to visit the science festival, and explored the UK with a heart filled with inspiration. Watch the video now and stay tuned for the next season of our competition!

School Lab Thailand National Competition 2017

Please come and cheer our 11 finalists in School Lab Thailand National Competition.

Date: Thursday 4 May 2017

Competition begins: 10.00 hrs. (Registration time: 09.30 - 10.00 hrs.)

Venue: Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Floor 5, Auditorium room

School Lab aims to help students understand and appreciate the exciting challenges of science and develop critical and creative thinking skills, as well as gain the confidence and skills required to present and demonstrate their understanding of scientific concepts.

School Lab Thailand is targeted at Thai students between 15-18 years old (Grade 10-12 or equivalent). In the competition, each student, supported by a teacher, prepares a 3-minute presentation to explain a scientific topic in a creative and comprehensive way to a panel of judges. They will be judged on content, clarity and charisma. The presentation should also be scientifically accurate, interesting and easily understood by the audience.

The top 10 performing students will receive science communication training and advance to the final round of the competition in Bangkok. The top 3 students will be awarded, and the 1st prize is a trip to the Cheltenham Science Festival, one of the greatest science festivals in Europe, with all expenses included.

Benefits to participants:

· Enhance students’ communication and confidence skills.

· Raise awareness and appreciation of STEM subjects.

· Develop teachers at the same time.

· First prize is a trip to the Cheltenham Science Festival, one of the greatest science festivals in Europe PLUS 10,000 Baht.

· Runner-up will receive 5,000 Baht and third place will receive 2,500 Baht.

Competition Format

1. Join one of our roadshows – learn more about School Lab. Take useful tips from an outstanding FameLabber or STEM Ambassador on science communication. Register here

Province	Date	Location	Register to Roadshow	Deadline for registration
Bangkok	15 Jan 2017	Royal Paragon Hall 3, Siam Paragon	Click here	13 Jan 2017
Khon Kaen	25 Jan 2017	Sirikunakorn 3, Sirikunakorn building, khon Kaen University	Click here	23 Jan 2017
Surat Thani	4 Feb 2017	Prince of Songkla University	Click here	1 Feb 2017
Pathum Thani	11 Feb 2017	National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)	Click here	8 Feb 2017

2. Enter the competition – talk science in three minutes via video and upload it online.

- VDO audition: can submit video online until 12 February 2017

3. Top 10 students attend a two-day science communication course – gain valuable skills from expert trainers, make friends and build a network, have fun!

- Science communication course: 1-2 April 2017

4. Top 10 students participate in the School Lab Thailand Competition – put your new skills to work, gain experience of speaking in front of live crowds, win prizes.

- School Lab Thailand Competition: 29 April 2017

5. The winner visits the Cheltenham Science Festival, UK – visit the science festival where FameLab started, see world-leading experts talk, meet FameLabbers from across the world.

- Cheltenham Science Festival, UK: June 2017

Have questions on your mind about the terms and conditions? Please see frequently asked questions below:

PARTICIPATION

Who can participate?

All students between 15-18 years old (Grade 10-12 or equivalent) can take part in this competition.

What is the role of the teacher?

A teacher, or parent in the case of a home-schooled student, is required to complete and submit the registration form for the student, and play a supportive role.

The teacher will be the main contact person and is required to be present with the student at all times throughout the competition.

What language should the presentation be in?

The presentations should be in either Thai or English (and NOT both languages in a single presentation) and should be 3 minutes long.

STEM TOPIC SPECIFICATIONS

What topics can students choose?

You can choose any STEM topic (science, technology, engineering or mathematics).

Can you give some examples?

What is a cell? Why is the sky blue? Why do earthquakes take place? Why does chocolate give us energy? What exactly are black holes?

Who can help students choose the topic?

Teachers should assist students in choosing a topic.

During the roadshows and workshop, FameLab finalists / STEM Ambassadors will guide students on presentation style.

VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS

How should the video be recorded?

The video must be recorded in one continuous shot. Editing is not allowed.

The video concept must be of an original idea. Any form of plagiarism will result in the team being disqualified from the competition.

Can we show an experiment in our video?

You can record one or more experiments (which you yourselves must carry out) in your video. You can also include a theatrical sketch, poem, or similar.

Can we use PowerPoint in our video?

PowerPoint or text of any kind is not allowed in the video. You should present your ideas in an original, entertaining and inventive way.

What language should the video be in? Ηοw long should it be?

The video should be in either Thai or English (and NOT both languages in a single video), and it should last 3 minutes.

What format should the video be?

It should be in one of the following formats: mp4, mov or avi. It should not exceed 2GB.

VIDEO SUBMISSION

How do we submit the video?

We suggest that all registered students attend one of our roadshows before recording and submitting the video.

The teacher must include the video link on the online registration form.

The completed consent forms from school principal, teachers, students and their parents/guardians must also be attached together with the video link as well. Student with incomplete submissions will be disqualified.

The organiser retains the copyright of all submitted videos and reserves the right to use them for marketing purposes.

When is the deadline to submit the video?

The video must be submitted by 23.59, Sunday 12 February 2017.

Any late submissions will not be accepted.

SHORTLISTING PROCESS

How will the videos be shortlisted?

The shortlisting of the videos will be graded by a panel of judges.

The presentations will be judged on their content, clarity and charisma. They should also be scientifically accurate, interesting and easily understood by the audience.

The top 10 students’ videos will be selected for British Council Thailand’s YouTube website.

FINAL ROUND OF COMPETITION

What happens next?

The 10 chosen students must be able to attend the Science Communication Workshop on 1-2 April 2017. They will then advance to the final round of the competition on 29 April 2017, also in Bangkok, where they will present their STEM topic ‘live’ front of the judges and the audience.

All students must be accompanied by their respective teacher during the Science Communication Workshop and the School Lab Thailand Competition.

All travel and accommodation arrangements and expenses for participating students will be covered by the organiser during the Science Communication Workshop and the School Lab Thailand Competition.

Can we change our STEM topic for the School Lab Thailand Competition?

Students may choose to present either the same STEM topic or a new STEM topic for the School Lab Thailand Competition.

The presentation should be in Thai or English, and last 3 minutes.

Props are allowed, as long as they can be carried on stage by the student.

What are the judging criteria during the School Lab Thailand Competition?

The presentations will be judged on their content, clarity and charisma. They should also be scientifically accurate, interesting and easily understood by the audience.