Started: September 2011
Based: London
Website: www.scienceshowoff.wordpress.com
Twitter: @scienceshowoff
Category: Science and Technology

Science Showoff is a monthly open mic night for scientists, science communicators, teachers, historians, philosophers, students and anyone else with something to show off about science.

Each Science Showoff gig features 10 people – three invited guests and seven people who sign up for nine-minute slots to do whatever they like as long as science is at its core. For example, an upcoming show in Bristol will feature Bonnie Buckley asking "Do you love your eyelids?" and Matthew Allen discussing black holes and 'spaghettification'.

In its first year, Science Showoff raised £5,000 for charity from voluntary contributions at its events. In its second and third years, £12,000 and £15,000 were raised respectively for a variety of local and healthcare-based charities. Science Showoff has also held larger gigs at Bloomsbury Theatre in London and the Green Man Festival.

The Showoff method is all about creating social good and linking people in an entertaining setting. Founder Steve Cross plans to continue to develop partnerships with charities as well as expanding the open mic night approach in a non-science direction. Geek Showoff will highlight the talents of tech industry insiders.