Skip Navigation Links

Mini Science Festival

Guidelines

Each presenter operates their own "stall". You will need:

  • An idea; be creative!
  • Table top.
  • Materials needed for your activity.

Safety

  • Prioritize participant safety: Clearly outline any potential hazards associated with your activity and provide necessary safety equipment (gloves, goggles, etc.).
  • Age appropriateness: Tailor your activity and materials to the expected age range of participants.
  • Supervision: Ensure adequate adult supervision for younger participants if applicable or activities involving potentially hazardous materials.

Activity Type

  • Engaging and Age-appropriate: Activities should be fun, interactive, and stimulate curiosity in science.
  • Demonstrative and Participatory: Include clear demonstrations followed by hands-on opportunities for participants.
  • Time Management: Ensure your activity can be completed within the allocated timeframe.
  • Waste Management: Minimize waste generation and have a plan for proper disposal of materials.

Materials and Stalls

  • Clear Instructions: Provide clear and concise instructions for participants to understand your activity.
  • Material Sufficiency: Bring enough materials for the expected number of participants.
  • Stall Presentation: Clearly identify your stall with attractive signage and engaging visuals. You can also use this opportunity to promote your work through publications or a short presentation.
  • Feedback: Encourage participants to provide feedback on your activity for future improvement.

 

Concept Note

In NAMES 2024, we bring forward the idea of a Mini Science Festival; a smaller-scale event or gathering that captures the essence of a larger festival but on a compact level.
 
The Mini Science Festival will be organized for various purposes: community engagement, cultural celebration, showcasing specific themes or interests, and most importantly, an opportunity for science centers and museums to share their science communication best practices and activities.
 
Such festival can encourage both local and international participation. It is an opportunity for local science engagement entities to participate in a one- or half-day event to connect with others at a minimal cost. It will be an empowering opportunity for their employees to be part of a local conference; it will also be an opportunity to display the local cultural science communication scene. Teachers and the local educational community can attend and even participate; the possible diversity will ensure the delivery of a rich experience. The event can also be open to a limited access to the public, maybe some schools; it will be empowering for people attending as practitioners, experts, researchers, and audience.
 
Another positive side is that it is an opportunity for hands-on fun activities with art science technology making and tinkering and all sorts of interactive science communication manifestations. Hopefully, in the future it can include film screening, workshops for the public, and other engaging activities. The festival will shape its character based on the place NAMES will be held in, the theme of the conference, and the scientific-cultural scene of the area.
 

Direct Benefits

  1. Social interaction is a crucial aspect of conferences, as they facilitate networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas among attendees.
  2. Encouraging attendees to demonstrate their interests, expertise, and best practices while also learning from other participants.
  3. Allowing the participation and empowerment of science engagement professionals who might find it difficult to participate in regular conference sessions and activities.
  4. Allowing attendees to join as teams and enhance their networking and communication skills.
  5. Enhancing opportunities for wider participation of local science engagement entities.
  6. Opportunity to promote spaces, programs, and research.

Who Can Participate?

With the option of a one- or half-day pass for the Mini Science Festival, science engagement entities might be encouraged to participate. The same applies for educational institutions that work in the field of science communication. If this pass is available, all the following (local and international) could become possible candidates to apply for the festival:
  • Science centers and museums
  • MakerSpaces
  • Universities
  • Researchers
  • Educators (Teachers)
  • Schools
  • Educational NGOs
  • Science communication organizations and practitioners

How Does the Festival Look Like?

Considering this is a conference, a simple format is required where:
  • Participants can have a dedicated space with a table and few chairs with possible access to electricity.
  • The space assigned for the festival will rule its offerings and the number of participants.
  • Participants are responsible for bringing all what they need to do their activities for at least 50 attendees.
  • The festival will run for 2 hours (could go for longer depending on participants).
  • Participants set their tables at least an hour before and are expected to wrap up and clean up within an hour after the event.
  • The festival will be open to conference attendees for free; a ticket might be open for the public.