The winners of the first FameLab Egypt 2013 heat in Cairo University.

I have often visited the prestigious Cairo University grand hall to attend lectures or talks by prominent researchers and politicians – including Barack Obama on his first trip to an Arab state after he became the US president. Early this week, I found myself sitting there in the front rows again, but instead of world-renowned figures, it was dozens of young undergraduates and postgraduates taking the stage for the first leg of the FameLab Egypt competition.

For those unfamiliar with the competition’s concept, it involves groups of young people passionate about science going on stage to explain a scientific concept of phenomenon in three minutes. They cannot use any powerpoint presentations or charts – just small props they can bring on stage. The trick is they must do this in an exciting, engaging way that is easy for a non-scientific audience to understand.

Over 45 young people competed, talking about topics ranging from the potential of biofuels to how neurotransmitters work and everything in between. Some were captivating, sending the audience into a frenzy of applause while others were less so, but not a bit less impressive. And that is why FameLab really matters.

The competition is one of the best science outreach efforts in Egypt – and probably in the Arab world. The audience was full of young people eager to listen to science. Additionally, many of the contestants had never been on stage before, let alone explained a complex scientific theory in a simple, approachable manner. They were building up and acquiring new skills that will, in the future, make them excellent science communicators – should they choose to pursue that career.

We have repeatedly argued here that we need more outreach efforts to generate interest in science among the public. By having the young people present science in this fun and simple manner, they manage to engage the audience much more effectively that the writings of many science journalists in Arabic news media outlets. They are effectively breaking down this barrier that the layperson has in their mind towards science.

A top notch panel of judges, ranging from a movie superstar to journalists and scientists, comments on each performance, judging the contestants on content, clarity and charisma – offering them advice on how they can improve their presentation and outreach skills. These are tips from professionals that the contestants might not normally have access to. This further hones the young people’s skills as science communicators.

At the end of the day, it is not about winning or losing. After all the heats and the finale conclude, only one contestant will represent Egypt in the international leg of the competition during the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK. However, I hope that the competition can have a ripple effect far outside the grand hall in Cairo University.

I hope we can see more young and old people from those who were in the audience hungry to learn more about science. I hope that some of the amazing contestants who didn’t make it will have had a taste of how wonderful it is to communicate science and go back and work on their skills and join the competition again next year. I hope the winners of the heats manage to find sponsors who would be interested in science communication and continue on this career. I also hope the winner who represents Egypt in the UK wins the international award!

But ultimately, and above all, I hope that people realize how positive this initiative is in the dearth of science communication that spreads across the Arabic-speaking Middle East.

Unfortunately, the only Arab country taking part in FameLab this year is Egypt. This is indeed a pity, considering there are exceptional people across the whole region waiting to be discovered, and that not a single state in the region does not need more science outreach.