The Falling Walls Science Summit 2023 provided a platform that once more united an inspiring and diverse group of Science Engagers, underscoring the collaborative spirit and celebrating impactful initiatives in the field of Science Engagement. The Falling Walls Engage Pitches not only highlighted the creative efforts but also marked another great moment in the journey of the Falling Walls Engage Community.
Among the standout projects showcased in the Top 20 Winners was our Breakthrough of the Year in Science Engagement: “STEM From Dance” by Yamilée Toussaint, which employs the transformative power of dance to empower girls with skills and confidence for STEM careers. She was able to present her project powerfully as she described her own experiences, giving the audience an insight into this neglected area of the education system.
Just to name some of the impressive projects among the Falling Walls Engage Winners: At “Atelier Labs”, presented by Bob Christer, the focus lies on collaborating with disabled children, chemists, and artists to foster inclusivity in academia. After his presentation, probably all audience members felt like children, fascinated by what is possible through science. “Coast 2 Coast”, founded by Emi Koch in Peru, provides educational resources for citizen science research projects, while “Neuro-G Project” in Nigeria, led by Kelechi Ezeudensi, focuses on neuroscience education in schools, with the mission to fight misconceptions about neurological diseases. To make this point in her Pitch, she not only had a model brain on stage with her but took her anger at these misconceptions and smashed the brain with a hammer leaving everyone eagerly anticipating her pitch.