The mission
Science POP is a Quebec-wide initiative in scientific communication that aims to promote the dialogue between science and society, while encouraging the professional accomplishment of graduate students in health sciences beyond their research work or academic curriculum.
More than a mere competition, Science POP aims to become a platform that showcases the great talents in communication of our student body and to inspire them to find their passions.
Competition phases
- OCTOBER 2022
Registration of establishments wishing to organize an internal Science POP competition
The IRCM features on the list of 15 participating institutions across Quebec!
- JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2023
Registration of candidates wishing to take on a challenge
For the IRCM's internal competition, the "submission" period starts on January 23rd (noon) and ends on February 20th (noon), 2023.
- MARCH 2023
Training workshops
See the Get ready for your challenge tab.
- APRIL 2023
Internal competitions
At the IRCM, the event will be held on April 19, 2023, in person, in the Jacques-Genest Auditorium.
- MAY 2023
Provincial final
This ultimate competition, regrouping all first-place winners of a challenge, from every participating institution, will take place at the IRCM, on May 27-28, 2023.
The three challenges
The Science POP competition holds three challenges, each putting a different aspect of scientific communication to the test: To teach. To convince. To inspire.
The challenges are briefly described below. Anyone eligible to become a candidate (see Candidates for the challenges section) can check out the Information about challenges for further details, including:
- Science POP competition rules
- Specific guidelines for each challenge
- Evaluation criteria
- Examples
- A few ressources
Popularization challenge
OBJECTIVE: Explain a central element of your research project
Candidates taking on this challenge will have to show creativity and teaching skills to explain a key concept of their research project in a clear, simple and accessible manner.
For example:
- A biological process (ex: apoptosis)
- A laboratory technique (e.g. electron microscopy)
- An experimental model (e.g. Drosophila)
- A clinical symptom (e.g. anaphylactic shock)
- A therapeutic treatment (e.g. pancreatic islet transplantation)
Valorization challenge
OBJECTIVE: Highlight the benefits of your research project
For this challenge, candidates will need to delve into the world of journalism and produce a news release (see the guidelines) that showcases their research project by highlighting:
- The societal needs or issues addressed by their work
- The innovativeness of the research
- The short-, medium- and/or long-term outcomes
- The partnerships that may be generated
Candidates will then have 1 to 2 minutes, during the competition, to capture the audience's attention and convince them to read the news release.
Mobilization challenge
OBJECTIVE: Show personal commitment to sustainable health
Candidates choosing this challenge will have to present a personal project that they wish to implement to promote the well-being and health of the population of Quebec. This can be :
- An approach, a pedagogical tool, an event, a development plan, an invention, a campaign, a large-scale participation in an initiative, or any other concrete action
- In draft form, under development, or completed less than one (1) year as of April 2023
