News

Improving communication skills through text-only conversations

“I’m a Scientist was a good training lesson in spotting the jargon and technical language in your communication, and recalibrating yourself to remember that type of language isn’t useful.” — Euan Allen, PhD student at The University of Bristol

Euan took part in I’m a Scientist during the second year of his PhD at the Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training. Answering questions through the text-based format allowed him to ‘recalibrate’ his language to suit his audience.

Euan had done some in-person engagement previously but does not think of it as the best way to develop communication skills. Continue reading →

Posted on June 4, 2019 by in Case Study, News, Scientists | Comments Off

Moderator Vacancy: June 2019

We’re looking for a moderator to work with us on our June 2019 events.

I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer will run from the 10th to the 21st June 2019.

First rule of moderator club… This is a paid, 10 day job.
If you aren’t free from 8:30—4:30pm on all 10 days, please don’t apply. Continue reading →

Posted on May 13, 2019 by in Event News, News, Science Engagement | Comments Off

STEM engagement for scientists’ busy schedules

“I really feel it’s a great introduction to public engagement and a fantastic way to explain what biomedical science is all about.” — Hayley Pincott, University Dental Hospital

Hayley Pincott took part in I’m a Scientist in June 2018, spending two weeks chatting with school students about her role as an Associate Practitioner Healthcare Scientist at a University Dental Hospital. Hayley found the experience flexible enough to fit around the workload of a public sector scientist, and it gave her the skills and confidence to do further public engagement. Continue reading →

Posted on April 3, 2019 by in Case Study, News, Scientists | Comments Off

“Reminded me just how cool science is!” – March 2019 winners’ blog posts

After every event we ask the winning scientists to write a short post to be sent to all the students who took part in the zone. It’s the perfect way for the scientists to reflect on the previous two weeks, thank all the students for voting for them, and talk about how they plan to use their £500 prize money.

If you’re a scientist keen to experience the ‘best crash course in scicomm’, apply now for the next event, taking place 10th – 21st June 2019, at imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply Continue reading →

Posted on March 26, 2019 by in News | Comments Off

Moderator Vacancy: March 2019

We’re looking for moderators to work with us on our March 2019 events.

I’m a Scientist UK, I’m an Engineer UK and I’m an Engineer Ireland will run from the 4th to the 15th March 2019.

First rule of moderator club… This is a paid, 10 day job.
If you aren’t free from 8:30—4:30pm on all 10 days, please don’t apply.

Your key responsibilities will be:

Checking and approving questions
Adding appropriate keywords
Logging and keeping track of questions, comments and dialogue
Checking the site for inappropriate content
Moderating live chats
Helping to run the site

It’s actually a lot of fun as the students (and experts) are quick and funny and full of energy. And hey, promoting STEM engagement is a good thing, am I right?! Continue reading →

Posted on January 29, 2019 by in Event News, News, Science Engagement | Comments Off

“I was in awe at the intelligence of the students” – November 2018 winners’ blog posts

After every event we ask the winning scientists to write a short post to be sent to all the students who took part in the zone. It’s the perfect way for the scientists to reflect on the previous two weeks, thank all the students for voting for them, and talk about how they plan to use their £500 prize money.

If you’re a scientist keen to experience the ‘best crash course in scicomm’, apply now for the next event, taking place 4th – 15th March 2019, at imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply Continue reading →

Posted on November 26, 2018 by in News | Comments Off

Demand vs Capacity: November 2018

It’s not a great feeling, turning 5,700 students away. Their teachers, 60 of them, wanted to take part in I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer this November but there wasn’t the funding to accommodate them. Sadly, it’s not the first time.

Demand has exceeded funded places available for the past 13 events; and in 9 of those we could have run double the number of zones we did.

Double the number of young people seeing that scientists and engineers are normal people like themselves.

Double the number of scientists and engineers taking part in “the best crash course in science communication”.

The Wellcome Trust, the British Psychological Society, and the UK Space Agency are among the funders this November. If you are interested in getting more chemists, non-biomed scientists or engineers in your field involved in outreach, if you think more students should get the opportunity to find out what science and scientists are like then please write to someone with an outreach or widening participation budget and ask them to consider working with us. Continue reading →

Posted on October 23, 2018 by modantony in Capacity, News | Comments Off

Moderator vacancy: November 2018

We’re looking for moderators to work with us on our November 2018 events.

I’m a Scientist UK, I’m an Engineer UK and I’m a Scientist Ireland will run from the 5th to the 16th November 2018. It’s a lot of fun as the students (and experts) are quick and funny and full of energy. And hey, promoting STEM engagement is a good thing, am I right?! Continue reading →

Posted on October 3, 2018 by in Event News, News, Science Engagement | Comments Off

Which browsers and devices are schools using?

Every so often (see here and here) we look at all our data to see how schools use the site.

Taking into consideration how visitors access the site, what they use to access it, and then see how much has changed over the past couple of years.

Our sites have to be mobile-device friendly, ready for tablets, which show a high usage – as you’d imagine. We’ve tried to make them more accessible for screen readers and phones. We pre-register all teachers and students, unless there are specific events which require teachers to register their students. Continue reading →

Posted on September 11, 2018 by modemily in News, Project News | Comments Off

Showing students the ‘bigger picture’ at A Level

“I’m a Scientist encourages independent thought and shows students the practical applications of their studies. Connecting with real psychologists also helps them decide what they’ll do next year and into the future.” – Lesley, Head of Psychology at Bay House School

Bay House School is a large comprehensive school with mixed attainment. In June 2018, sixth form Psychology students from the school took part in the Society Zone. Head of Psychology Lesley tells us how the activity supported her students’ progression and taught them the real-life applications of their subject.

Continue reading →

Posted on July 16, 2018 by in Case Study, News, Teachers | Comments Off

‘There is nothing like it! I miss it already’ – June 2018 Winners blog posts

After every event we ask the winning scientists to write a short post to be sent to all the students who took part in the zone. It’s the perfect way for the scientists to reflect on the previous two weeks, thank all the students for voting for them, and talk about how they plan to use their £500 prize money.

If you’re a scientist keen to experience the ‘best crash course in scicomm’, apply now for the next event, taking place 5th–16th November, at imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply

Continue reading →

Posted on July 13, 2018 by in News | Comments Off

Showing students the relevance of their learning

“Doing something engaging like this creates a more well-rounded education and my students have now seen real-life applications of curriculum content.” — Lucy, Maths Teacher at Cornelius Vermuyden School, Canvey Island

Only a small proportion of students at Cornelius Vermuyden School aspire to go to university or move out of the local area, and many don’t see the point in what they study in school. Lucy tells us how their involvement in I’m an Engineer helped them see the importance of maths and broaden their horizons.

Continue reading →

Posted on July 13, 2018 by in Case Study, News, School, Teachers | Comments Off

Changing attitudes across a whole year group

“Organising the event for the whole of year 8 meant that everyone could enjoy the benefits” – Polly, Science teacher at Willows High School, Cardiff

Willows High School, a mixed comprehensive school in a challenging quarter of Cardiff, took part in the I’m a Scientist activity in March 2018 with two classes. The school participated again in June 2018, this time with a whole year group. Polly tells us how having an entire year involved helped increase aspirations across the school and showed students that doing well in school has a far-reaching impact.

Continue reading →

Posted on July 12, 2018 by in Case Study, News, School, Teachers | Comments Off

Connecting my students with scientists online… is it safe?!

Some teachers may have reservations about bringing their class online to chat with scientists and we can understand that. We take safeguarding seriously and our site is secure and moderated. To reassure any hesitant teachers, here are some steps we take to safeguard young people in our online activities.

Continue reading →

Posted on June 27, 2018 by in News | Comments Off

5 reasons I’m a Scientist is worth your lesson time… even for exam classes.

Project Wrangler Katie was a science teacher before joining the I’m a Scientist team, so has first-hand experience of the intense curriculum pressures teachers face. Here she talks us through how I’m a Scientist benefits your students with 5 reasons why it’s worth allocating lesson time to the activity.
Continue reading →

Posted on June 26, 2018 by in News, Science Capital | Comments Off

Engaging disengaged students with I’m a Scientist

Some students don’t like science lessons. Maybe they don’t see the point, maybe they don’t think they’re good at science, maybe they used to love science but have been put off by the stress and pressure of exams. Whatever the reason these students don’t engage, here are 3 ways I’m a Scientist can help.

Continue reading →

Posted on May 25, 2018 by in News, School, Science Engagement, Teachers | Comments Off

Moderator vacancy: June 2018

We’re looking for a moderator to work with us on our June 2018 events.

I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer will run from the 11th to the 22nd June 2018.

Continue reading →

Posted on May 14, 2018 by modmichaela in Event News, News, Science Engagement | Comments Off

Increasing students’ confidence with I’m a Scientist

“Many of our students lack confidence in their academic ability so they were buzzing when they realised they can hold their own in a conversation with intelligent, educated people and this helped them realise they are all scientists too!” – Julia Anderson, FE College Biology Lecturer

This general further education college is split across 3 sites in a large, post-industrial, non-university town. Students at the college took part in the I’m a Scientist Immune System and Genes Zones in March 2018. Julia tells us how meaningful engagement with the scientists increased her students’ confidence. Continue reading →

Posted on May 14, 2018 by in Case Study, Evaluation, News, School, Teachers, Widening Participation | Comments Off

Using I’m a Scientist to increase participation in higher education

“Traditionally, not many of our students go on to university. I’m a Scientist helps by allowing students to relate to scientists and helping them see the value of studying at a higher level.”

– Mark McNally, Science Teacher

A mixed 2-19 academy, where over two thirds of the school population are students from disadvantaged backgrounds, took part in I’m a Scientist in March 2018. Mark tells us how the activity helped interest his students in science careers and consider higher education.

Continue reading →

Posted on May 2, 2018 by in Case Study, Evaluation, News, Science Capital, Teachers, Widening Participation | Comments Off

Providing STEM opportunities for distant schools

“As we are a remote rural community we do not have a huge variety of careers on our doorstep but these events help to bring them closer to pupils. More students should be getting these funded opportunities across the UK.”

– Emily Tulloch, Science teacher on the island of Unst.

The most northerly school in the UK is located in one of our most distant areas in the Shetland Isles. Emily tells us how I’m a Scientist allowed her remote students to explore a range of STEM careers and increased motivation to learn science. Continue reading →

Posted on April 6, 2018 by in Case Study, Evaluation, News, Science Capital, Teachers, Widening Participation | Comments Off

What can you do?

I want to take part with my class ❯

I want to take part as a scientist ❯

I want to find out about funding I’m a Scientist ❯

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.

Follow @imascientist