Join us for our first science story slam in New Zealand in collaboration with the Science Media Centre and SCANZ! Our community of storytellers offers a warm, supportive environment in which storytellers of all backgrounds and levels of experience can experiment (pun not intended!) with personal narrative.
If you’re interested in telling a story, you’ll have the opportunity to put your name in the virtual hat at the start of the show. Five lucky storytellers will get the opportunity to share their stories on screen. (For more guidance on telling a story at one of our slams, see our advice at the bottom of this page.) If you would prefer just to be a part of the audience, that’s fine too!
Our two coaches -- representing expertise in both story performance and science communication -- will offer each storyteller advice and encouragement to help them bring out the best in their stories.
The show is at 4:30 pm NZDT.
This show is presented with generous support from both the Science Media Centre and SCANZ and is password protected with the password “scanz”
Our Host
Ceridwyn Roberts is a freelance science communicator who loves the enthusiasm of fellow geeks. Armed with a degree in theatre and film, she came at this career somewhat sideways. She has worked on eclectic topics including climate science, geology and engineering, building science, economic policy, energy, social science, and vehicle manufacturing. Ceridwyn is rapt to bring her performing and directing background to her role as co-producer for Story Collider's most far-flung outpost.
Our Coaches
Dacia Herbulock is Director of the NZ Science Media Centre, which supports high quality, evidence-based coverage of complex issues when science is in the headlines. Through the SMC’s Media Savvy training programme, she has coached over four thousand researchers to develop their communication skills. A former radio journalist and documentary maker, she has a strong personal interest in finding creative ways to make science accessible. She is proud co-producer of The Story Collider’s New Zealand Home Stage shows in Wellington.
Gastor Almonte is a standup comedian, storyteller and writer. He has appeared on Comedy Central’s This is Not Happening, PBS and Vice. He’s debut special, Immigrant Made, can be seen on Amazon Prime. His debut album of the same name debuted at #1 on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon. His appearance on World Channel’s Stories From The Stage was a 2020 Webby Award winner.
GUIDANCE FOR STORYTELLERS
Stories should be five to six minutes long. (You’ll see a warning flash on screen when you have one minute left.)
Stories should have a beginning, middle, and end, and should involve some kind of personal change, whether it’s big or small.
Your story must be a first-person narrative -- in other words, it must be about you!
Because this is Story Collider, your story should be connected to, or inspired by, science in some way.
TECH GUIDANCE
Try to have a pair of headphones handy, in case we experience feedback.
If you can, test out your camera and microphone ahead of time, here: https://www.crowdcast.io/setup
If possible, try to make sure you’re in a low-traffic area with minimal ambient noise.
If you’d like to be really thorough, you can find our full setup guide for storytellers here!