The School of Science at RPI, in collaboration with the 2014 Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon), hosted the kickoff to Season 3 of the science communications event “FameLab: Exploring Earth and Beyond” on July 29. Graduate students from around the country gathered to learn how to communicate their scientific research in a way that still includes the technical aspects while making it relatable to a general audience. As part of the process participants developed a three-minute, Powerpoint-free presentation of their chosen topic. A preliminary round was held in the morning with a communications workshop following in the afternoon. The field was narrowed down to nine finalists who competed for the title of FameLab champion in front of a public audience at the EMPAC Theater. In the end, Graham Lau, who discussed his near-death research experience with an unstable sulphurous glacier, was named the winner. Breana Hashman, Danny Barringer, and Rensselaer graduate student Charles Martin were selected as wildcards. The winner of the RPI heat, as well as a few select wildcards, will proceed to compete for the national title in Washington, D.C. FameLab is sponsored by NASA in the U.S. in collaboration with the British Council.