Malta's best science communicator will be selected during FameLab's national finals at Teatru Manoel on Friday, 17 May at 8.30pm. Science enthusiasts, students and the general public will be glad to know that booking for the first edition of FameLab Malta national competition is now open from the theatre's booking office in Valletta. Entrance is free.

After auditions, selections and workshops, the finalists will compete with three-minute attention grabbing talks that everyone can enjoy.  The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges formed by writer Malcolm Galea, ecologist Dr Sandro Lanfranco and engineer Dr Ing. John C. Betts.  The finalists are Claude Bajada, Anthony Debono, Sarah Dimech, Owen Falzon, Kristina Farrugia, Estelle Fenech Imbroll, Alexander Hili, Denise Hili, Gabriella Mifsud, Michelle Muscat and Faisal Sadegh. The best science communicator will represent Malta at the UK Cheltenham Science Festival in June.

FameLab Malta competition is being organised in partnership with the British Council, University of Malta, Research Innovation and Development Trust. This first edition is being supported by Actavis, Microsoft Innovation Centre, Vodafone, Teatru Manoel, Malta Chamber of Scientists and St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity. The show will be hosted by Colin Fitz with the participation of KulTural.

The FameLab Malta initiative is in line with the University’s Trust, RIDT, highlighting the value and usefulness of science and research. RIDT actively seeks additional funds to expand the University’s research studies.

FameLab is an initiative of the Cheltenham Festivals started in 2005 in partnership with NESTA and has quickly grown into arguably the world’s leading science communication competition. A partnership with the British Council since 2007 has seen the competition go global with more than 5,000 young scientists and engineers participating in over 23 different countries.

Booking is open at Teatru Manoel, Valletta by either emailing on [email protected] or by phoning on 2124 6389. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and 5 to 7pm and Saturday between 10am and 1pm. Tickets can also be obtained prior to the show.

For more information email [email protected]; visit www.britishcouncil.org/malta-science-famelab or put like on Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/FameLabMalta