Evaluation Reports

In June 2014, teamed up with The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) to run two Big Data themed zones: The Genomics Zone and the Bioinformatics Zone, each featuring at least two TGAC scientists. And these were our main findings: The students were interested in the scientists: Students read the scientist profiles and asked about the research of each individual scientist. They were also very keen to learn more about the scientists; daily lives and hobbies, as well about their opinions on topical issues like animal testing. Students were interested in Genomics and Bioinformatics: Two difficult subjects which many of the students might not have been familiar with before the event. In fact, one teacher in the Genomics zone said she was pleasantly surprised with the level of the students’ questions and how the scientists explained what genomics is. The Bioinformatics and Genomics Zones exposed students to the new trends in biology: … Continue reading →

The CHRISTMAS LECTURES are a series of science talks, which have been held at the Royal Institution (Ri) since 1825. In December 2013, the Royal Institution teamed up with us to extend the discussion around the CHRISTMAS LECTURES, and give everyone the opportunity to ask questions to real scientists online. This was the first time we ran an I’m a Scientist zone alongside the CHRISTMAS LECTURES, so evaluating it was particularly important: we wanted to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the event and suggest improvements for future editions. These were our main findings: Almost 600 people participated in the CHRISTMAS LECTURES Zone, of whom 78% were students, 8% were teachers, and 14% were members of the general public. All of the teachers that answered our feedback survey agreed that we should run the CHRISTMAS LECTURES Zone next year. The two scientists who we interviewed after the event said … Continue reading →

In November 2013 we run I’m a Scientist in Ireland for the second time. We run 4 zones: two themed on Nanotechnology and Space and two general zones named Helium and Lithium with a mix of 5 scientists. This report looks at how the event went. One of the main points of the report is our analysis of the impact that the event had on students’ perception of science. We found out that students’ interest in science and science related careers is clearly increased after taking part in I’m a Scientist. We also report on teacher and scientist feedback, which was generally very positive. As one teacher said: “This event offers the opportunity to do something different; an activity that brings out new strengths and abilities”. Sandra Byrne. Teacher Download the report here.

Back in November 2012 we ran I’m a Scientist in Ireland for the first time. In short, it was a real success. The enthusiasm shown by teachers, students and scientists was magnificent and the students really got into the spirit of the event. The full evaluation report is up on the Irish site (imascientist.ie/2013/05/15/evaluating-im-a-scientist-in-ireland/) alongside a short summary of our findings. In summary, we would love to run more events in Ireland.

In March 2012 we ran a Sports Science Zone, funded by The Physiological Society. It was a big success. It was the most popular zone requested by teachers More than 2 sports scientists applied for each place The students asked lots of questions on sports and the human body. Keywords that poopped up a lot include Body, Blood, Brain, Cardiovascular, Cells, Exercise, Heart, Human Body, Lung, Oxygen, Performance and Running. Discussions ranged from how extra organs would effect the human body to the best way to improve personal health. Heart researcher Fiona Hatch won the zone and spent her prize money giving a sheep’s heart dissection lesson to a local school in Hull. Read the full evaluation here. As one sports scientist said “this has been a blast”.

It’s important, in anything, to check that you’re doing a good job. When we’re running I’m a Scientist, we think we’re doing a good job and that the event is fun and exciting, and that students (and scientists!) learn things. But we aren’t the most impartial people to check! We’re spending lots of money on this project (given to us by a charity called the Wellcome Trust), and we’re also taking up lots of lesson time at hundreds of schools around the country. So it’s important we check that the event is doing what it’s supposed to. So a researcher called Kate Pontin has been checking for us. She visited some schools when the event was happening (maybe she came to your school?). She watched lessons and talked to students. She also talked to some of the scientists and teachers. And she looked at the surveys some of you filled … Continue reading →