Humaira Tafshir Sara of the London School of English has emerged as the national champion of FameLab Academy Bangladesh 2026, a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) communication competition for secondary-level students.

The British Council hosted the grand finale at its Fuller Road premises in Dhaka on 7 September, celebrating the country’s next generation of science communicators, according to a press release.

Warda Fatima Khan of Sir John Wilson School became the first runner-up, while Md Ziaul Haque Reyan of St Joseph International School was named the second runner-up.

FameLab Academy challenges students in Classes IX-XII to explain a complex scientific, engineering or mathematical concept in three minutes.

Participants deliver their presentations on an empty stage using only hand-carried props, without PowerPoint slides, digital aids or notes. They are judged on three criteria: content, clarity and charisma.

Participation increased this year, with 44 candidates from 22 schools joining the competition, compared with 31 participants from 11 schools in the previous edition.

Of the candidates, 39 competed live in the regional rounds, from which 10 advanced to the grand finale.

The finalists represented seven institutions: Sir John Wilson School, London School of English, Kids Campus School, Paramount School and College, Maple Leaf International School Dhaka, Grace International School and St Joseph International School.

Managing Director and Head of Market at the British Council Bangladesh Zunayed Ahmed said, “FameLab is not really testing how much our finalists know. It is testing whether they can make the rest of us care about what they know.”

“Knowing something and being able to explain it are two different skills. Two-thirds of today’s marks go to how well a finalist is understood, not just how much they understand,” he added.

The judging panel comprised Head of Business Improvement at the British Council Bangladesh Ahsanul Azad; Research Assistant at icddr,b Faria Marha; and Professor in the Electronics and Communication Engineering Department at North South University Dr Salekul Islam.

Before the finale, the 10 national finalists attended an intensive two-day masterclass on 26-27 August led by UK science television presenter and Master Trainer Dallas Campbell.

The training focused on strengthening the finalists’ stage presence, storytelling and presentation skills.

As the national champion, Humaira Tafshir Sara will receive an all-expenses-paid trip from the British Council to attend the Cheltenham Science Festival in the United Kingdom.

All 10 finalists also received gift vouchers, merchandise and digital subscriptions from the event’s brand partners.

GoZayaan provided a Tk10,000 travel voucher to the winner and Tk3,000 vouchers to each of the other nine finalists. Gorur Ghash provided 20% discount vouchers on fashion apparel, while Prothom Alo offered each finalist a complimentary 12-month digital subscription to the Prothom Alo ePaper, including the digital editions of Kishor Alo and Biggan Chinta.

GrabGo provided premium backpacks, while Headgear presented customised caps to all the finalists.

The event concluded with a certificate presentation and a networking session attended by students, parents, school principals, mentors and guests.