Youngjun Hwang, a doctoral student in POSTECH's Department of Electrical Engineering, won the Grand Prize at FameLab Korea 2016, jointly organized by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity and the British Council in Korea.
Eleven young scientists, six men and five women, who passed the preliminary round competed at MBC Golden Mouse Hall in Sangam-dong, Seoul, on topics spanning mechanical engineering, brain engineering, life sciences, pharmacy, medical science, electrical engineering, electronics, and measurement science.
In this competition promoting communication between scientists and the public, Hwang presented a communications system that corrects errors caused when information encounters obstacles during transmission and reaches the receiver in a damaged state. The Grand Prize winner represents Korea at the 12th FameLab International Competition, held over nine days and eight nights at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the United Kingdom in June.
FameLab challenges participants to explain a topic from their science/technology specialty creatively and clearly to the public in three minutes. Instead of conventional slides such as PowerPoint, contestants use distinctive props for presentations lasting no more than three minutes. Originating in the UK, it now seeks new science communicators worldwide, encourages public dialogue about science, and narrows the gap between science and society. Many science students accustomed to paper- and text-based research and study have established a foundation in science communication through the competition.
The eleven finalists, the third cohort of FameLabbers, will continue as science communicators appointed by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning, alongside members from the first two competitions.
The program “Science Talk Audition, FameLab Korea” aired on MBC and MBC Every1. Main MBC broadcast: May 27 at 1:05 a.m. Watch POSTECH finalists Youngjun Hwang, Jinhyuk Yoon, and Sojeong Lim demonstrate their talents and Hwang receive the Grand Prize. Replay is also available free after signing in: http://vodmall.imbc.com/player/player.aspx?broadcastid=1000484100643100000&itemid=1122413.