Science Reactors will meet their Kastellorizo friends to speak about science during the Puzzle Festival.
Science on stage! A new way to science…
During the Kastellorizo Puzzle Festival Science Reactors, will perform stand-up science for kids in their own unique way with the aim to prove that:
- There is fun in learning
- Knowledge can be attractive and appealing to children
- Children can enjoy curiosity-driven science and get inspired
- Scientific concepts be easily captured by children while having fun
Constantinos Peristeris, Antonia Karamolegkou,Paul Issaris and Ermis Zacharopoulos are ready to share their knowledge on interesting scientific topics in layman words and humor. Their mission is to engage Kastellorizo young and not so young audience, in science.
Constantinos Peristeris: Obstetrician – Gynaecologist
a. For little kids:
“The hidden vaccine”
There is a vaccine that srengthens the immune system, not only against coronavirus, but against any microorganism. It is free. It has no side effects. And it is kept secret. But it’s time you all found out!
b. For adolescents:
“The first date”
Yes, you’re going on your first date! There are so many things on your mind…
You’re hoping it goes well!! And your body has started a cascade of neurobiochemical reactions to help you out.
Antonia Karamolegkou:
a. For little kids:
“Conditional Learning and The Unconditional Guide To Stress Management”
Do dogs have a secret language? How can a ringing bell make a dog salivate? How can a chewing gum and a dog help us perform well in an exam?
We will briefly look at the experiments of the Russian scientist Pavlov (conditional learning) and some of their applications in today’s life. Finally, we will talk about the stress created from a young age as well as smart ways to make it manageable.
b. For adolescents:
“A teens guide to survive and thrive!”
Too cool for school? How can school and science help you get over your “crush”? What do neuroscientists say about love and the feelings of rejection and failure?
Science is everywhere and science is for everyone. Science can even explain why we feel in love or disappointed. We will briefly explain what happens to the brain when we fall in love or fail at something. We will also look at smart ways to deal with rejection and failure.
Paul Issaris:
a. For Little kids
“Computers and thought: an amazing invention”
- How does a computer think? How is a cooking recipe related to a robot?
- Can I create a computer that is able to walk and play football?
- We will explore how we can persuade computers to think, what mistakes we make, and what the future holds for computers in our lives!
b. For adolescents:
“Artificial Intelligence – A guide for teenage robot trainers”
What is Artificial Intelligence? In which sectors of our lives is it hidden and how can we discover it?
Are there robots that fail miserably at what they do?
In this presentation, we will discover how our favorite video game is related to our vacuum cleaner, and how a robot is able to perform tasks that we thought were purely human!
Ermis Zacharopoulos:
a. For Little kids:
“Cryptography – The science of keeping your secrets”
- How can you be sure that no one can access your secrets?
- What does Caesar have in common with an online checkout cart?
- A journey in cryptography, from ancient times to today’s world.
b. For adolescents:
“What is hacking?”
We often hear of cyber attacks but.. what exactly does a hacker do? A presentation about the basic types of hacking attacks and how they work in principle.
A few words about Science Reactors
Science on stage. Science in a different way!
- Do scientists have a sense of humor?
- Can we present simple scientific topics with a smile?
- How do we “bring” science near us?
The team of Science Reactors responds in its own way from the stage!
The creator of the team isEleni Grammatikopoulou, 30 years of life dedicated with passion to the Communication of Science. From the “SCIENCE SOCIETY” program of the National Hellenic Research Foundation to today’s scientific festivals and major events
In 2014 she wanted to bring out a new completely unconventional face of science by creating the subversive team of Science Reactors. Young charismatic scientists from all disciplines, through performances of Stand up Science(in the footsteps of Standup comedy) and Science on stage (scientific theater), will present science… in a different way!
Endowed with a talent in Science Communication but mainly with a passion for science itself, Science Reactors take the stage, turning difficult scientific subjects into understandable everyday stories. And most importantly, with stories full of humor!
Since then, the team participates in all scientific festivals, TedX, Researchers’ Nights, gives its own performances in theaters, etc. attracting enthusiastic comments and many fanatic friends. In 2017, ERT promoted their work as part of the “Close up” series, its official participation in the 20th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival.
The group is constantly refreshed with new faces, new texts and new activities. They have collaborated with other groups from the field of art (graffiti, music, dance, etc.) proving that humor can be aptly combined with both Art and Science. Throughout all these actions, Science Reactors have grown an amazing funatic audience while receiving positive feedback and lots of love.
Recently Science Reactors entered the digital era by participating online in major scientific events. In the context of the collaboration with ATRAKTOS, it adapted, for the first time, scientific texts specifically made for children Stand up Science Kids, thus making knowledge more attractive and accessible.
(see the You Tube program ATRAKTOS KIDS)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QdgB2S5SAU.
A similar team exists in Thessaloniki.
Kostas Vrettos is the director of the team.
Eleni Grammatikopoulou is a science communication enthusiast.
For more than 25 years she has been involved in different activities, scientific festivals and events aiming to the public understanding of science and combating “scientific illiteracy”.
Always intrigued by non-conventional methods for the dissemination of science, Eleni created the “Science Reactors” group in 2014. A team of talented young scientist which proved, through their innovative performances i.e Stand up Science, Science on stage that science can be combined with improvisation and comedy.
At the Athens Science Festival 2018, she was awarded the Science Communication Award - ΕΠΙ2 2018 , established by SciCo.
-What is that behind your ear? Oh, it’s the ace of hearts!
-Are you sure you’re a gynecologist?
Oh yes, he is! Dr. Konstantinos Peristeris knows well the magic of life through the babies that he welcomes daily in the delivery room. He also knows the magic of performing and public speaking and as one of the founding members of Science Reactors he is known to deliver, not only babies, but also tons of laughter through his stand-up routines on the human condition, the science behind it and the science in its and everyone of us.
Antonia Karamolegkou was a castaway in the sea of science! She found a group of islands where she met Philosophy, Psychology, History, Literature, and her first love: Linguistics!
Thanks to these islands she learned how to swim and build boats on her own (the cringe story continues). After passing through the islands of Neuroscience and Mathematics, she decided to settle on the island of Computer Science. Now you may find her behind a screen (ok.. maybe more screens) programming and debugging. In her spare time she enjoys communicating science with a fantastic sense of humor (probably «fantastic» as in literally in her fantasy type of humor).
I have a degree in Computer Science, but usually, I feel I am Batman. Nobody understands what I do for a living.
Whenever I don't pretend to be a serious professional engineer I like running and reading books on the most peculiar subjects, that will satisfy the inner child that is hidden inside me.
My favorite things in this cruel world are traveling and storytelling. I constantly try finding new hobbies, often only resulting in getting on the nerves of the people around me.
Ermis Zacharopoulos
is me and I am a computer scientist. From a young age, I spoke non-stop, even before I learned words I mumbled nonsense. This never stopped, but fortunately for my acquaintances, I found various windows so as not to bother them.I have worked in various positions as a web developer but now I am hiring developers for Pleo - a Danish startup that has recently reached unicorn status. I have been a member of the Youth Parliament the theatrical team of AUEB and performed Science Comedy + Communication gigs in numerous festivals the past years including Athens Science Festival, always talking non-stop. I used to be an athlete and a fencer, but then I cut my ACLs cause who needs them. I love technology and science, keep notes, take photos to relax, and learn English by playing Pokemon on Gameboy.
In 2019 I won the Famelab competition organized by the British Council and represented Greece in the corresponding international competition in Cheltenham, England talking about fungal networks under trees