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Speak from your heart
Assistant Professor Marie Radbo
Vice Dean of Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
When I'm speaking to young children I know at once whether they are interested or not. They are not polite, like adults. The best way to involve children is by getting them to ask questions. Their questions can jump to anything in the Universe, so you need "deep knowledge" when facing a young audience - it is much more difficult than speaking to adults. But, if you don't know the answer, don't pretend that you do. Just say, I'm sorry, you've got me there! Nobody will blame you for not knowing everything!
With adults, it takes a lot longer to know whether they are "switched on" or not and it is very important to feel the contact with them. They can be very unresponsive and that makes the speaker uncertain. That is why I always prepare something "extra" to get them to respond - something different, funny, strange, unusual … anything to make the connection!
It is very important to keep to the time. If you have 60 minutes, use 60 minutes - no more, no less.
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