20 Seconds to Hook, 5 Minutes to Inspire: Our Year 1 Students Take the Stage with TedX talks at Warwick University
This week, our Year 1 students had the exciting opportunity to travel to the University of Warwick to deliver their very own TEDx-style talks as part of the STEM Communicators Programme. It was a fantastic experience that challenged students to step outside their comfort zones and showcase not only their scientific knowledge, but also their ability to communicate it effectively.
As part of the programme, students selected topics they were passionate about and presented their ideas to a wider audience. From innovative technologies to complex scientific concepts, each talk demonstrated the students’ creativity, curiosity, and growing confidence in public speaking. A key focus of the experience was learning how to break down complex ideas and make them accessible and engaging for a non-specialist audience, an essential skill in today’s world.
Dr Steve Appleyeard, who leads the STEM Communicators Programme, summed up the challenge perfectly:
“Could you engage an audience in the first 20 seconds and keep them engaged for 5 minutes? Could you explain a complex scientific idea to a lay audience? And could you do that in your second language? Those were the challenges we set our students last month as part of our award-winning STEM Communication programme. Our students rose to the challenge, impressing their teachers and Warwick University judges.”
We are incredibly proud of all the students who took part. They represented NatMatSci with professionalism, enthusiasm, and confidence, leaving a lasting impression on both staff and judges alike. Well done to everyone involved!
