We've chosen the scientists!

This has been even harder than choosing the schools. We ended up cutting out bits of paper with everyone’s details on and moving them all around the desk, making up fantasy groups and trying to see if each group had got everything covered. I really wanted to include almost everyone, but we had to say no to some really great people.

However, I think the 15 scientists we’ve picked (five for each group of students) will be fantastic – good communicators, enthusiastic, with interesting work to discuss and raising some thought-provoking issues. I would publish the details on here, but I’ve not had confirmation back from everyone yet.

But I can tell you that topics covered range from studying climate change to engineering solutions for rectal incontinence. Which is really quite a range, however you look at it.

Teacher packs

We’re sending the teacher packs out today to participating teachers. All our teaching resources can also be downloaded by any teacher who wants to (below). Each pack contains:-

Teacher briefing notes
Lesson plans
Supporting materials for planned lessons
- Lesson 1: Criteria list
- Lesson 2: IVF debate teacher’s notes and character cards
- Lesson 3: Question list
Information sheets
- Drug Development (HSW point: sources of bias in science)…
  - … for GCSE Foundation
  - … for GCSE Extension
  - … for A-Level
- Pesticides (HSW point: data handling/reliability vs validity)…
  - … for GCSE Foundation
  - … for GCSE Extension
  - … for A-Level
- Nuclear Power (HSW point: facts vs opinion)…
  - … for GCSE Foundation
  - … for GCSE Extension
  - … for A-Level
40 Student Access code cards
1 Teacher Access code card

I would email everyone electronic copies too, but it’s loads of files and would clog up inboxes, so I’ve uploaded them here. Once the actual site is live they will all be available there, but in the meantime, you can download them from here. We believe that information and education should be free, so all the materials are copyright free (under a Creative Commons Attribution license) and any teachers are free to download the materials and make use of them.

Posted on May 23, 2008 by in How Science Works, IAS Event, Science Education, Scientists. Tagged climate change, How Science Works teaching materials, lesson plans, pilot, rectal incontinence, scientist, teacher packs. 1 comment

One Response to We've chosen the scientists!

Dimple says:

February 4, 2010 at 10:50 am

The event looks fantastic
Just to confirm, what are the actual timings for meeting scientists online? I thought it would an excellent opportunity to incorporate in to science club sessions. With the curriculum in the school being combined as pupils start GCSE work in year 9 it is rather difficult to find 4 lessons to incorporate this into. What are your suggestions?
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What is I’m a Scientist?

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here is an online activity where school students get to meet and interact with scientists.

It’s a competition between scientists, where the students are the judges.

Students challenge the scientists over intense, fast-paced, online live Chats. Then they Ask the scientists all the questions they want to, and Vote for their favourite scientist to win a prize of £500 to communicate their work with the public.