Up to 100 people witnessed Cork's top new science communicators take to the stage share their passion for science and learn about how the force of your foot can defeat a concrete slab. Held annually in over 20 countries across the globe, Famelab is the world's largest science communication competition, and last night 8 local competitors took to the stage in the Triskel Arts Centre to dazzle with their interesting science.
With topics ranging from finding ripples in space to splitting water to power the Earth, the audience were entertained and engaged. Whilst the judges deliberated, the audience was then treated to a unique show “The Physics of Taekwon Do”, delivered by Dr Robert Howard of DIT. Robert, who is also a 7th degree Taekwon Do master, had the crowd on the edge as he used simple physics to break through timber and concrete!
Congratulations to the eventual winner Dr Daragh Finn (INFANT) for his talk on why do babies cry at birth, and a special congratulations to the two runner-ups from Tyndall National Institute; Niamh Kavanagh (her talk described the future of optical fibre) and Dr Philip Murphy (his talk was based on laughter as an defense strategy).
Special thanks to the wonderful judges: Prof. John O'Halloran, VP for Teaching & Learning, UCC, Valerie Cowman, Cork Training & Education Board & Pascal Sheehy, RTE News.
Famelab Cork is presented by Tyndall National Institute and the British Council in Ireland with generous support from the East Bay Community Foundation, Science Foundation Ireland, CPL plc and Henkel Ireland.
