Download the Toolkit and accompanying Activity Resource Sheet below!

British Council Ireland, together with FameLabber, science communicator and teacher, Eoin Murphy, are delighted to present this exciting new toolkit aimed at Transition Year Students interested in developing their science, and broader communication skills and knowledge.

Science communication is a rapidly growing area. Over the past decade, the world has seen an explosion in the use of social media and other forms of digital communication which has made it easier than ever to access all sorts of scientific content. However, this growth has also been accompanied by the emergence of misinformation and fake news, often designed to cast doubt around evidence dating back decades and even centuries. Never before has there been such a need for those studying or working in STEM to share evidence-based science with the world.

Aims

This resource, created by Eoin Murphy with the support of British Council Ireland and fellow FameLab Ireland alumni, will: 

  • Introduce Transition Year students to the concept of science communication
  • Give students the tools and confidence to develop core skills for effective science communication
  • Help increase knowledge and engagement, as well as inspire passion for science and science communication
  • Demonstrate to students the diversity offered within the science sector

Approach and Themes

The Science Communication Toolkit, comprising six units, is designed for both teachers and students. Activities have been created to allow for students to work independently but also in collaboration with each other and their teacher(s). It includes an abundance of reading, video and practical materials, allowing teachers to use it flexibly and to decide on an approach which suits them best. The resource covers six topics:

  • Storytelling
  • Humour
  • Body language
  • Audience participation
  • Language tricks
  • Creativity

Co-created by Eoin Murphy

Eoin Murphy is a biochemist, educator and science communicator. He graduated with a BSc in Biotechnology before completing an MSc in Biochemistry. Eoin is a former winner of the HEA/Irish Independent 'Making an Impact' award and Researchfest and is a Famelab Ireland runner-up.

Eoin created and led a workshop for NUI Galway’s Threesis competition in 2019 on the use of storytelling for communicating research. Previous to this, he had assisted science communication and public engagement specialist, Malcolm Love, in delivering the British Council’s 'Scientifically Speaking' skills workshops.

Eoin is currently completing a part-time MSc in Science and Health Communication. Having returned to education he is working on innovative means of bringing science communication to secondary schools as well as to the wider general public.

Email: beyondthelabscicom@gmail.com

Instagram: @beyond_the_lab_scicom

Twitter: @Beyond_The_Lab

Inspired by FameLab

FameLab® is an international competition to find and support the world’s most talented new science communicators. Participants have three minutes to win over the judges and audience with a scientific talk that excels for its content, clarity and charisma. FameLab is owned and was created by Cheltenham Festivals in the UK. From 2007-2021, the British Council had licence to deliver the competition in over 30 countries internationally. FameLab Ireland ran between 2012-2021 and was funded by Science Foundation Ireland and supported by Cpl Resources Plc and Henkel Ireland Limited. 

It was managed by British Council Ireland in collaboration with Newstalk 106-108fm, Science Gallery Dublin, Dublin City University, NUI Galway, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Limerick and multiple science research centres.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

www.britishcouncil.ie/famelab

Twitter: @FameLab | @FameLab_Ireland

Eoin Murphy said: 'Having spent the last few years away from the classroom carrying out biochemistry research, I became very involved in science communication. It gave me the opportunity to fuse my teaching and research experience together, and then test myself at engaging non-scientific audiences on complex issues. As I prepared to return to education, I wanted to bring this experience back into my role as a secondary school teacher. That desire to bring science communication into secondary schools and the support and expertise of  British Council Ireland would evolve and develop into this toolkit'.