The timing

• Regional heats take place in four cities, in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.
• Each contestant gets exactly three minutes for his/her presentation.
• After the presentation the judges will ask questions and give constructive feedback. Once all contestants have held their presentations the judges will withdraw to decide who goes forward. After time for deliberation they annouce the winner and runner up. The audience also gets a vote: They decide who wins the audience prize.

The rules

• each participant will give a three minute presentation on a subject of their choice
• no PowerPoint presentations or other AV may be used
• you are allowed to use whatever props you can carry ‘on stage’ with you
• presentations can be held in German or English
• if you make it to the national final you need to prepare a new and different presentation. It may be about the same topic but needs to focus on a different detail, present it from a different angle and you need to use a new form of presentation (new metaphors, new props...)

The judges

• The judging panel has experts in the fields of science and communication
• The judging criteria are: Content, Clarity and Charisma.
  Content
  The content of the presentations MUST be scientifically accurate. If the topic chosen has controversy or uncertainty around it, then the presentation must acknowledge the opposing views.
  Clarity
  Clarity is critical for effective science communication. The structure of the talk is important, as well as making sure the audience and judges can follow the talk and are left with an understanding of the scientific concept chosen.
  Charisma
  The audience and judges should be left inspired and enthused about science.