The Battle of the Scientists is a unique and interactive competition in which 5 scientists present their research to a room filled with hundreds of primary school children, while thousands more are watching from their classroom through a livestream.
The children organise the battle themselves and vote for the winning presentation. They do the preselection of the scientists, form a jury and present the show. They are time keepers and count the votes. Not only do they learn invaluable skills, they are also exposed to the coolest science.
The theme for the upcoming battle is ‘space’, and so the STCE sent in two applications: 'Red alert: a solar storm is coming!' and 'Dancing aurora: heavenly creatures and science?'. Both proposals were selected by the organising school! We will get a chance to explain space weather in all its forms to these kids and hopefully motivate some of them to become scientists themselves.
The battle takes place during the Belgian Astronaut Week in March 2022. This event is organised to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dirk Frimout’s shuttle flight, as well as the 20th anniversary of Frank De Winne’s trip to the International Space Station. Some of their American and Russian astronaut colleagues will also join for the Battle of the Scientists and will meet with the children, and the competing scientists.
May the best scientist win!
