Martín Ezequiel Farina

Performing Evolution

This workshop uses theatre as an educational tool to break classroom monotony and engage students. Adapted from an activity originally developed by North American palaeontologist Rebecca M. Price, this workshop is a role-play game whose rules are evolutionary concepts. It teaches evolutionary processes through theatrical action: exploring space, using the body, being subjected to "natural selection" and "catastrophic events" that prompt a rethinking of evolution as it is commonly understood.

The workshop has two parts: one with theatrical exercises to recreate a natural world with representatives of the food chain and interacting environmental factors, followed by a discussion and theoretical reflection session to interpret what happened during the game.

Fun, fast-paced and dynamic — without sacrificing scientific rigour or critical reflection. A role-play game where the natural sciences set the rules.

Science Communication with Humor

Humour is one of the most powerful tools for breaking down cultural, ethnic and social barriers. The range of concepts that can be explored through science comedy makes it useful not only for communicating science to the public, but also for the professional development of researchers and science communicators. The workshop aims to introduce the basic tools of humour to science communicators and encourage them to communicate in a different way.

Introduction to science comedy: what is a science monologue? Humour as a tool. Different approaches for different audiences. Communication strategies. Building a monologue: personal experience, shared experience and general knowledge.

Writing and performance: physical expression, exploration of stage techniques, theatre games, short improvisations. Group formation and topic selection.

Collective work and rehearsal: collaborative writing of a short script, rehearsing monologues, rewriting and a full run-through. Closing with an open performance for an audience.

Telling Science Well: Pitch, Storytelling and Communication for Researchers

The ability to communicate a scientific idea clearly and effectively is increasingly valued inside and outside academia. Yet many researchers are trained to present results, not to engage diverse audiences. This workshop provides tools to build scientific pitches that convey the relevance of a project without losing rigor.

Introduction to the scientific pitch: differences from a traditional presentation, identifying the core idea, adapting the message to different audiences and building clear, effective communication.

Narrative structure and storytelling: hooks, attention hooks, the problem as the engine of the presentation, narrative devices and humor as a tool for building empathy and attention.

Design and practice: time management, verbal and non-verbal communication, common mistakes, practical exercises and personalized feedback. Applying these tools to the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) format.