What is StarsOfScience?

StarsOfScience is an innovative "TV Reality" based science competition sponsored by the Qatar Foundation. In Season 1 (2009), sixteen candidates were selected out of 5600 to take their ideas to a "product" in 10 weeks and through four stages: Engineering, Design, Business and Marketing. After each stage, half the candidates are eliminated; however, they stay on the show and team up with fellow contestants. At the end, two teams prevail. This year, the Dozan Team won the StarsOfScience show with 62% of the votes. More details at: www.StarsOfScience.com

How did I do in the show?

I worked half way (Engineering & Design) on my project (Now branded as "CarrotLlines") then joined Bassam's team (winner of the Design stage) for the Business and Marketing Stages. Bassam's project is an automatic tuner for string instrument that we branded as "Dozan". In the Business stage, I was responsible for "putting together" our business plan - we won first place in the Semi Finals. In the Marketing stage, I was the "project manager" for the live launch event for Dozan - where we had a US $50,000 budget. We were the winning team.

What did I get "out" of the experience?

I was very happy about my balanced journey throughout the show. I really needed the Engineering and Design stages for CarrotLines since I had already written a business plan for my MBA thesis. In the design stage, I really enjoyed working with Sarah, the only other woman in the show, who brought in a fresh perspective. Sarah has a lot of energy and is really good with colours and design in general. She helped to bring "CarrotLines" to life.

In one word, momentum, is what I got from the show in two major ways:

1) Fully working and packaged prototype with website and branding (Alpha)

2) Exposure/Proven market: Now, I know "for sure" that people need CarrotLines and that it is and will be very useful which gives me more strength to pursue its development.

What about "Drama" ??

Yes, "reality TV" is all about Drama - and in essence, that's what engages the viewers. Our show was no exception but with significantly less drama, just enough to make the show more interesting because the focus was so scientific. There was more "drama" centered around me during the last two phases of the show when I was teamed up with Bassam. I was shown as a bit of a control and organization "freak" - some of which is true but it gets emphasized on TV!! I didn't mind b/c it was all in good and fun spirits!

Would I do it again?

Yes, absolutely.

How hard was it?

The whole experience is draining in so many ways: emotionally, physically and of course, mentally. One has to remember why he/she signed up for it and try to make everything about it positive - My main challenge was to stay "healthy" and walk my talk ...check out my blog entry.

What did the experience teach me?

That a lot of things we think we "need" on a regular basis we really don't. My consumerism topped down a lot. When you're in this kind of environment for three months, you don't have access to resources, human and material, that you're used to. This is a "side" of reality TV we don't see on TV - and which I don't know how similar or not - it is to other TV environments.

What's my "next" step now?

Well, really, roll out "CarrotLines" - it s a short sentence that requires a few steps and I believe that with persistence and the right human and material resources, CarrotLines will be brought to life very soon. A Beta open public version is our next milestone.