Winner Reports

What Dave Jones did with his prize money…

Dave was voted the winner of the Extreme Energy Zone in June 2014. Here he writes about how he used his Ā£500 prize money to get tourists and residents of La Palma seeing more of the night sky.


I’m a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here was great fun, and to be crowned winner was a wonderful feeling, but then came the really daunting part… what to spend the money on! Ā£500 is a lot, and you really want to make it count. I had lots of different ideas but moving to the Spanish island of La Palma, Europe’s premier site for astronomy due to its clear skies, just after the competition finished made one idea stand out above the rest. Buy a small telescope and use it to share my passion for astronomy with unsuspecting people on the street – guerrilla astronomy, if you will. Continue reading

Posted on July 31, 2019 by in STFCWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Dave Jones did with his prize money…

What Ross King did with his prize moneyā€¦

Ross was voted the winner of theĀ Tungsten ZoneĀ in November 2015. Here he writes about using his Ā£500 prize money on runningĀ an interactive exhibit about the cardiovascular system.

If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply


I ran an interactive exhibit showcasing how the cardiovascular system can rapidly and unconsciously change in response to the world going on around us. This showed the subtle and unique relationship the brain has with the rest of the body, demonstrating that our hearts and blood vessels quickly adapt not only in the face of exercise and physical stress, but to our emotions and thought processes too. Volunteers were attached to a monitoring device and were given a series of challenges, whilst they watched their cardiovascular systems change in real time before their own eyes. Continue reading

Posted on July 24, 2019 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Ross King did with his prize moneyā€¦

What Samuel Vennin did with his prize money…

A year ago, I was lucky enough to be voted the winner of the Heart Zone by school children who participated to the sessions. I won Ā£500 I had to spend on STEM outreach activities and report below on the activities they have helped funding.

I have been a Project Manager for Native Scientist for a year and a half now, and a participant of their workshops for more than 5 years. Native Scientist sends scientists to bilingual schools attended by migrant children to promote STEM subjects and empowerment through science. The workshops last about 1 hours and a half and are run on a speed-dating format where scientists spend about 15 minutes with a group of children before rotating to another group. Half of the money from the I’m A Scientist prize entirely funded 4 workshops in May 2019 that took place in a French school located in London. In total, 102 children aged between 7 and 10 years old have been exposed to a wide range of topics from cancerous cells to brain diseases to artificial intelligence and 84 reported having learnt ā€œa lotā€. Continue reading

Posted on July 24, 2019 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Samuel Vennin did with his prize money…

What Cat Scott did with her prize moneyā€¦

Cat was voted the winner of the Climate Change zone in March 2016. Here she writes about using her Ā£500 prize money on theĀ Terrific Scientific Trees Investigation.

If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply


As part of the BBC’s nationwide Terrific Scientific programme, we devised a project to get primary school children out of their classrooms and learning about the trees around them. I visited several primary schools to trial the lessons and then the BBC invited all primary schools in the UK to take part in May/June 2017. Continue reading

Posted on July 24, 2019 by admin in News, RSCWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Cat Scott did with her prize moneyā€¦

What Matt Lee did with his prize money…

Matt was voted the winner of the Actinium Zone in June 2017.Ā Here he writes about how he used his Ā£500 prize money to produce a sci-art exhibition. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply My favourite thing about science is the creativity behind it. I try to explore this creativity in all of the public engagement and outreach work I do when talking about science. I used the Ā£500 to put on an exhibition of science art in Bristol for 2 weeks in May 2018, Creative Reactions Bristol. We had 35 scientists and 35 artists work together to produce pieces of art that explored the scientists’ research. We had over 2,000 people explore the exhibition and talk to scientists and artists involved. I am continuing with the science art exhibition and … Continue reading

Posted on April 24, 2019 by modemily in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Matt Lee did with his prize money…

What Liam Taylor did with his prize money…

Liam was voted the winner of the Sustainability Zone in November 2018.Ā Here he writes about how he used his Ā£500 prize money to develop a session for children and students to learn about climate change using VR headsets. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply I used the prize money to purchase virtual reality headsets to develop an outreach session with the University of Leeds. Whenever I taught the science or solutions of climate change, I was frequently told by children that they couldnā€™t visualise environments that are on the other side of the world, let alone how they are changing. So, I bought an array of Oculus headsets so that children can immerse themselves in coral reefs, stand on top of glaciers, or shake hands with great primates in the … Continue reading

Posted on March 27, 2019 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Liam Taylor did with his prize money…

What Daniel Jolley did with his prize money…

Millions of people from across the globe believe in conspiracy theories ā€“ such as the idea that climate change is a hoax. Whilst conspiracy theories were once just seen as chatter, and of no concern, my research to date demonstrates that exposure to conspiracy theories may lead to important social and political consequences ā€“ such as being less likely to vaccinate a child.

During Juneā€™s 2018 Society Zone event, conspiracy theories were a hot topic of conversation. Using the prize money awarded, I wanted to continue the conservations and bring to life the psychology of conspiracy theories. To do so, with the Ā£500 I commissioned More Than Minutes to draw my research into an engaging cartoon.

Ā  Continue reading

Posted on March 20, 2019 by admin in Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Daniel Jolley did with his prize money…

What Stephanie Mann did with her prize money…

Stephanie was voted the winner of the Climate Zone in March 2018.Ā Here she writes about how she has used her Ā£500 prize money to buy filming equipment and software to start up a science YouTube channel. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply I have started a YouTube channel called Science with Steph. I have been a consumer of online video for a long time and know a few small creators, and so I decided to take the plunge and start a channel myself! It has been hard work (growing a channel from scratch these days can be very slow going), but very enjoyable. I have learnt many skills such as producing, editing and filming videos. I have also learned how to talk about quite tricky subjects in a simple way. … Continue reading

Posted on March 6, 2019 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Stephanie Mann did with her prize money…

What Sophie Williams did with her prize money…

Sophie was voted the winner of the Americium Zone in March 2018. Here she writes about how her Ā£500 prize money is being used to make materials such as 3D fossils to teach children about palaeontology. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply I decided to donate the money to the Scarborough Museums Trust, specifically to the Rotunda Museum who run both free and paid science workshops for primary and secondary school children. I wanted to donate to the museum because they are a small establishment who do not receive the same sort of funding as some of the larger museums. Furthermore, it is also the local museum in the town in which I grew up, so I thought it would be nice to give something back to the school communities … Continue reading

Posted on February 27, 2019 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Sophie Williams did with her prize money…

What Steve Street did with his prize money

Steve was voted the winner of the Drug Discovery Zone in November 2016. Here he writes about using his Ā£500 prize money to create a website that helps students understand the links between school subjects and future career opportunities. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply My plan for the Ā£500 prize money was to develop a careers website for secondary school students, who are making decisions about what subjects to study. This might be KS3 subjects in year 9, GCSE subjects in year 10, A-level subjects in year 12, or undergraduate degree subjects in year 13. The website is based on real people, real careers and real research, and will be organised by school subject. Students will be able to log on and discover a wealth of potential career and … Continue reading

Posted on February 6, 2019 by admin in RSCWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Steve Street did with his prize money

What Elliot Jokl did with his prize money

Elliot was voted the winner of the Bismuth Zone in June 2016. Here he writes about using the Ā£500 prize money to bring students from across Yorkshire to carry out DNA analysis in labs at the University of York.Ā  If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply We used the money to purchase consumables (DNA, reagents, disposable tips etc.) to allow groups of pupils from schools in North, West and East Yorkshire to spend a day at the University of York carrying out DNA fingerprinting. Pupils were presented with a sample of DNA from a “Crime Scene” and asked to match this sample to one of 5 suspects. The money allowed over 200 pupils the chance to experience carrying out practical work that they would not have otherwise been able to do … Continue reading

Posted on February 6, 2019 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Elliot Jokl did with his prize money

What Senga Robertson did with her prize money…

Senga was voted the winner of the Plutonium Zone in November 2017. She used her prize money to hold an activity day for school children at the University of Dundee, which you can read more about below. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply With the prize money I invited 120 children from areas near Dundee University an event called “Cell-ebration of Science”. Many divisions from the School of life sciences came together (Molecular Microbiology, Forensic Anthropology, Plant Science, Protein Phosphorylation to name just a few) to deliver a broad range of activities that ranged from messy fun to coding to ensure that all learning styles were accommodated for. There were things like learning about the bacteria that live in your tummy by making fake poo, badge making, making your genes … Continue reading

Posted on January 30, 2019 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Senga Robertson did with her prize money…

What Sanjib Bhakta did with his prize money

Sanjib was voted the winner of theĀ Drug Resistance Zone in November 2017. Here he writes about using his Ā£500 prize money to involve local school students in a research project. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply The main purpose of this public engagement activity was to inspire and stimulate a young generation of future scientists locally as well as to engage and enhance public awareness of antibiotic resistance and superbugs. I first created a link with St Francis Xavier 6th form College through their Biology teacher-in-charge, Ms Nimerta Virdee who was also a part-time MSc Microbiology student at Birkbeck. As a number of the young students at this college are from non-traditional and low socio-economic backgrounds, the school-based science project has helped to raise their aspirations, motivation and confidence to … Continue reading

Posted on January 16, 2019 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Sanjib Bhakta did with his prize money

What Chris Whittle did with his prize money…

Chris was voted the winner of the Reproduction Zone in 2013. I wanted to provide some resources for my local school as there were hardly any scientific books in the library (which weren’t textbooks). We had a little unveiling ceremony and the librarian was thrilled with the new materials. I did choose most of the books myself but I did get a little bit of help from her as I was concerned I would pick the wrong ones! I hope the books help future students engage with science and show that science is not only be a career but also fun, interesting and important to understand. The kids all seem to have loved the new books and I think in general it was a safe investment! If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own science engagement, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of … Continue reading

Posted on January 9, 2019 by in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Chris Whittle did with his prize money…

What Matt Bilton did with his prize money

Matt was voted the winner of the Antibiotics Zone in November 2014. Here he writes about using his Ā£500 prize money to engage people with some important science research in a tasty and pun-filled way! If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply The Ā£500 went on cupcakes (312) handpiped and made to order from a local bakery + delivery. Members of the public were handed cupcakes with ‘TB or not TB??’ piped on them with icing. 2/3 of the cupcakes in each batch were one flavour and 1/3 were another (i.e. one batch was 2/3 chocolate, 1/3 chocolate chilli, and another was 2/3 raspberry, 1/3 lemon). People had to try and diagnose the cupcakes first by looking at them, and then by tasting them. This project took place at another larger … Continue reading

Posted on October 25, 2018 by admin in Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Matt Bilton did with his prize money

What Sam Carr did with his prize money

Sam was voted the winner of the Relationships Zone in June 2017. Here he talks about using his prize money to bring together a group of people ages 85 and over to talk about his research. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply The money was incredibly helpful in funding a day, in Bristol, of discussion and debate with a group of 12 older people (aged 85-99) that enabled us to listen to, better understand, and explore how old people look back over the course of their lives, how they reflect upon the close relationships they have, and the various sorts of challenges and issues this creates for them. We hoped this day would enable us to listen to older people’s reflections on the lives they’ve lived and the relationships they’ve … Continue reading

Posted on October 25, 2018 by admin in Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Sam Carr did with his prize money

What Liz Buckingham-Jeffery did with her prize money…

Liz was voted the winner of the Epidemic Zone in June 2017. Here she writes about using the Ā£500 prize money to hold an event at her university to engage students with mathematics research and careers, and to develop a worksheet and interactive web-app. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply The majority of my prize money was used to fund an outreach event I helped develop, organise, and run on the 29th June 2018 at my workplace (the School of Mathematics at the University of Manchester). The event was created for female year 12 school children with the aim of inspiring them to pursue maths at university and find out more about research as a career. In order to provide accessible role-models for the attendees, all of the organisers, speakers, … Continue reading

Posted on September 12, 2018 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Liz Buckingham-Jeffery did with her prize money…

What Simon Holyoake did with his prize money…

Simon won the Earth Zone in 2013. Here’s what he did with his Ā£500 prize money… I’ve donated the prize money to two causes. Based on how far behind I’ve gotten with work and everything, I felt it was easier to donate the full Ā£500 prize money to some good causes that will actually get stuff done, so I’ve donated Ā£200 to the charity Engineers Without Borders UK who help with all kinds of awesome projects around the world, bringing sanitation and power and inspiration to poor communities globally, as well as running outreach session for schools in the UK. I donated the remaining money to the London Science Museum in the hope that they will continue to inspire and educateĀ the next generation of scientists and engineers. From my own experience, it was visiting museums and science exhibits as a child that got me hooked on wanting to better understand … Continue reading

Posted on August 29, 2018 by in IOPWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Simon Holyoake did with his prize money…

What Duncan McNicholl did with his prize money…

Duncan was voted the winner of the Uranium ZoneĀ in November 2017. Here he reports on using the Ā£500 prize money to fund a new podcast about medical research, Not Exactly Rocket Science. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply Winning I’m a Scientist came with two immediate thoughts: “great, I won!”, and “oh no, now I have to make a podcast and I have no idea how to do that!”. I did some research and spent the money on recording equipment, hosting, and a cool domain name (notexactlyrocketscience.fm), then started to charm researchers into being interviewed for it. It was pretty exciting when the first episode went live on the 1st of June, and it’s been really fun to learn so much about what people who work in my building are … Continue reading

Posted on August 15, 2018 by in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Duncan McNicholl did with his prize money…

What Laura Soul did with her prize money

Laura was voted the winner of the Rhodium Zone in March 2013. If youā€™d like the chance to win funding for your own public engagement work, apply for the next Iā€™m a Scientist, Get me out of here:Ā imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply I set up a website (Generate Science) for school students to post blogs about current science topics and developed resources to help train the students. I was unable to find teachers who felt they had the time available to be the test classes for the platform, and then I moved to the US for a postdoc position. I still hope to eventually work on getting the website running when I return to the UK, by focusing on a local school so that I can run training in person for the first trials. As this did not go as expected, I decided to donate the remaining half of my prize money to an … Continue reading

Posted on August 1, 2018 by admin in WellcomeWinner, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Laura Soul did with her prize money