Category Archives: Zone Reports

Psychology Zone Report – June-July 2021

Read the report: Psychology Zone Report – June – July 2021 [PDF]

The Psychology Zone ran for 6 weeks, from 7 June to 16 July 2021. It was funded by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

The Zone featured psychologists from across the UK, working in a variety of fields.

Originally intended to run for 4 weeks, the Zone was extended to give teachers and their students more time to engage with it. This was due to the coronavirus pandemic, which was impacting teaching and learning in schools by causing almost 1 in 4 school students in the UK to be absent.

Download the Zone Report (pdf) ❯

Psychologists
19 psychologists created a profile in the Zone. See who took part ❯

The winning psychologist with the most votes from students was John Shaw, lecturer in sleep psychology at De Montfort University.

Students
476 students from 19 schools across the UK logged into the Zone.
71% of active students were from target schools: 61% from underserved schools and 13% from widening participation schools.

Live chats
38 live chats took place during the activity: 32 were school classes booked by teachers and 6 were additional chats, open to all the students.

There were 3 live chats where teachers asked questions on behalf of their students. Therefore, the number of students reached will be higher by about 50.

On average, 4 psychologists attended each live chat.

Posted on August 9, 2021

modem in 2021, 2021, BPS, News, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Orange Zone Report – May 2021

A screenshot of the front page of the report

Download the report (pdf)

The Orange Zone ran from 4 to 28 May 2021. It was funded by The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

The activity featured 29 scientists working across a broad range of fields.

Download the Zone Report (pdf) ❯

Scientists

29 scientists created profiles in the Zone. See who took part ❯

The winner of the Zone was Emma Yhnell, who won £500 to deliver further engagement activities.

Students

865 students from 19 schools logged into the Zone.

58% of active students were from target schools: 43% from widening participation schools and 19% from underserved schools.

Live chats

44 live chats took place. 39 were booked by teachers and 5 were additional chats, open to all students.

On average, 6 scientists attended each live chat.

Posted on June 17, 2021

modjamie in 2021, RSC, STFC, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Red Zone Report – April 2021

Download the report (pdf)

The Red Zone ran from 12 to 30 April 2021.

The activity featured 28 scientists working across the UK, in a broad range of fields.

Download the Zone Report (pdf) ❯

Scientists

28 scientists created profiles in the Zone. See who took part ❯

The winner of the Zone was Kip Heath, who won £500 to deliver further engagement activities.

Students

725 students from 13 schools logged into the Zone.

87% of active students were from target schools: 69% from underserved schools and 37% from widening participation schools.

Live chats

33 live chats took place. 31 were booked by teachers and 2 were additional chats, open to all students.

On average, 6 scientists attended each live chat.

Posted on May 19, 2021

modjamie in 2021, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Psychology Zone Report March 2021

Download the report (pdf)

The Psychology Zone ran from 1 to 26 March and was funded by the British psychological society (BPS).

The Zone featured 25 psychologists from a broad range of psychology-related fields. 11 of these reported as being members of the BPS.

Download the Zone Report (pdf) ❯

Psychologists

25 psychologists created profiles. They included:

Ellen Smith, psychobiology PhD student at Northumbria University

Alex Baxendale, educational neuropsychology PhD student, Bangor University

Lisa Orchard, senior psychology lecturer, University of Wolverhampton

The winner of the Zone was Dennis Relojo-Howell, founder of Psychreg digital magazine, psychology YouTuber, and PhD student at the University of Edinburgh. Dennis won £500 to deliver further engagement activities.

Students

896 students from 18 schools across the UK logged into the Zone.

71% of active students were from target schools: 66% from underserved schools and 8% from widening participation schools.

Live chats

46 live chats took place: 39 were school classes booked by teachers, 5 were additional chats, open to all the students in the Zone, and 2 were for prospective A-level students to find out more about studying psychology at A-level.

On average, 5 psychologists attended each chat.

Posted on April 27, 2021

modjamie in 2021, BPS, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Molecule Zone Report March 2021

Download the report (pdf)

The Molecule Zone ran from 1 to 26 March 2021 and was funded by ScotCHEM and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

The Zone featured 33 scientists from a broad range of chemistry-related fields. 17 scientists were based at a ScotCHEM member university and 15 reported as being members of the RSC.

Download the Zone Report (pdf) ❯

Scientists

33 scientists took part. They included:

Zuzanna Konieczna, PhD student at the University of Edinburgh

Jesko Koehnke, Reader at the University of Glasgow

Alexandra Males, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Carbohydrate Enzymology at the University of York

The winner of the Zone was Martin McCoustra, Professor of Chemical Physics at Heriot-Watt University. Martin won £500 to deliver further engagement activities.

Students

927 students from 26 schools across the UK logged into the Zone.

62% of active students were from target schools: 36% from widening participation schools and 34% from underserved schools.

Live chats

57 live chats took place: 51 were school classes booked by teachers and 6 were additional chats, open to all the students.

On average, 5 scientists attended each chat.

Posted on April 27, 2021

modjamie in 2021, RSC, ScotCHEM, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Pink Zone Report March 2021

Download the report (pdf)

The Pink Zone ran from 1 to 26 March 2021 and was partly funded by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC).

The activity featured 27 scientists working across a broad range of fields. 5 of these were either funded by STFC, or worked at, or used data from, an STFC facility.

Download the Zone Report (pdf) ❯

Scientists

27 scientists took part. They included:

Lizzie Pendlington, Science Communication student at STFC

Geraint Evans, PhD student at the University of Southampton

Karen Burstow, microscopy scientist at Reading Scientific Services Limited

The winner of the Zone was Felicity Hunter, a medical science PhD student at the University of Manchester. Felicity won £500 to deliver further engagement activities.

Students

864 students from 23 schools logged into the Zone.

63% of active students were from target schools: 50% from underserved schools and 26% from widening participation schools.

Live chats

66 live chats took place: 60 were school classes booked by teachers and 6 were additional chats, open to all the students.

On average, 5 scientists attended each live chat.

Posted on April 27, 2021

modjamie in 2021, STFC, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Purple Zone Report February 2021

Read the report: Purple Zone February 2021 [PDF]

Read the report: Purple Zone Report [PDF]

The Purple Zone ran from 1 to 26 February 2021 and was funded by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC).

The activity featured 24 scientists working across a broad range of fields. Each scientist was either funded by STFC, worked at an STFC facility, or used data from an STFC facility.

Scientists

24 scientists took part. They included:

Viviene Dela Cruz, Development Scientist at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory
Amal Lavender, Head of Department (Chemical & Biological Sciences) at the National Physical Laboratory
Philip Ratcliffe, Associate Professor of Nuclear and Sub-nuclear Physics at Insubria University

Students

878 students from 27 schools and 1 youth group logged into the Zone.

43% of active students were from target schools: 27% from widening participation schools and 19% from underserved schools.

Live chats

71 live chats took place. 52 were booked by teachers and 19 were additional chats, open to the students and members of the public.

On average, 4 scientists attended each school chat.

Posted on March 24, 2021

modtom in News, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Planet Earth Zone Report January-February 2021

Read the report: Planet Earth Zone CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2020 Report [PDF]

The Planet Earth Zone ran from 11 January to 5 February 2021 and was funded by the Royal Institution (Ri).

The activity was themed around the Ri’s CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2020, “Planet Earth, a User’s Guide”.

The Zone featured scientists and other contributors involved in producing the lectures, as well as scientists working in related fields, such geology, environmental science, oceanography, and sustainability.

Scientists and contributors

43 scientists and lecture contributors took part. They included:

Alistair Young, who monitors water quality and pollution as a Trustee for the River Wey Trust. Alistair contributed to lecture 2, “Water World”.

Hazel Jeffery, project manager at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science.

Liam Taylor, PhD Student in climate science at the University of Leeds.

Students

1,637 students from 27 schools across the UK logged into the Zone.

66% of active students were from target schools: 54% from underserved schools and 16% from widening participation schools.

Live chats and questions

89 live chats took place during the activity: 61 were school classes, 24 were open chats accessible to members of the public, and 4 were for Ri Young Members.

On average, 5 scientists/lecture contributors attended each live chat.

219 student questions were approved. There were 278 answers provided.

Posted on March 16, 2021

modtom in News, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Medical Research Zone Report November 2020

Read the report: Medical Research Zone Report – November 2020 [PDF]

The Medical Research Zone ran from 2 to 27 November 2020. The Zone was 1 of 4 Zones that ran as part of I’m a Scientist: On Demand in November 2020.

I’m a Scientist: On Demand aims to offer greater flexibility to teachers in how, and when, they can take part in I’m a Scientist. This is in response to the COVID-19 situation and greater restrictions and uncertainty in schools.

The Medical Research Zone was funded by the Medical Research Council.

Researchers and Technical Staff

41 researchers created profiles in the Zone.
38 researchers engaged with students through live Chats and/or Ask questions.
A broad range of fields and career stages were represented. For example:
- Natsuko Imai – research associate at the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London
- Vrushali Patil – researcher in Mammalian Synthetic Biology at The UK Centre
  for Mammalian Synthetic Biology, funded by the MRC
- Suzan Kors – PhD student in Biological Sciences and GW4 BioMed MRC Doctoral Training Partnership, University of Exeter

Students

467 students logged in, from 20 schools across Great Britain and 1 from the USA.
Student participation was 31% of the 1,500 target.
82% of active students were from target schools (WP and/or U).
- 39% were from widening participation (WP) schools.
- 58% were from underserved (U) schools

Live Chats & Questions

28 live Chats took place took place during the activity.
34 live Chats were booked (42% of capacity), but dropout was higher than usual with 6 cancellations.
On average, 7 researchers/tech staff attended each live Chat; more than is typical.
1 teacher typed questions in a live Chat on behalf of their students, so the total number of students engaged in this Zone may be higher by up to 25.
58 student questions were approved. There were 109 answers provided.

Posted on March 10, 2021

modtom in 2020, MRC, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Orange Zone Report – December 2020

Read the report: Orange Zone Report – December 2020 [PDF]

The Orange Zone ran from 30 November to 18 December 2020 and was funded by the Wellcome Trust. It was a general science Zone featuring scientists working across a broad range of fields.

The activity ran as a part of I’m a Scientist: On Demand, which offers greater flexibility to teachers in how, and when, they can take part. This is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and greater restrictions and uncertainty in schools. I’m a Scientist: On Demand runs throughout term-time, with month-long Zones.

Scientists

31 scientists took part. They included:
- Kate Dobson – singing volcanologist and engineer, University of Strathclyde
- Zahara Mortimer – research engineer, Deep Branch Biotechnology Ltd. and University of Nottingham
- Alex Ramadan – Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Oxford

Students

746 students from 21 schools logged into the Zone.
72% of active students were from target schools: 38% from widening participation schools and 59% from underserved schools.

Live Chats and Questions

40 live Chats took place took place during the activity.
55 live Chats were booked, but dropout was higher than usual with 12 cancellations and 3 ‘school no shows’.
On average, 5 scientists attended each live Chat session.
2 teachers typed questions in a live Chat on behalf of their students, so the number of students engaged may be higher by up to 50.
179 student questions were sent to scientists, who responded with 280 answers.

Posted on February 11, 2021

modtom in News, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Futures Zone Report – November-December 2020

Read the report: Futures Zone Report – November-December 2020 [PDF]

The FUTURES Zone ran from 16 November to 11 December 2020.

The Zone was funded by FUTURES2020, a public engagement collaboration between the University of Bath, Bath Spa University, University of Bristol, University of Exeter and University of Plymouth. FUTURES2020 is part of European Researchers’ Night (ERN), a Europe-wide event dedicated to explaining research through fun and interactive learning. ERN is funded by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions.

The Zone was open to school students and researchers from the South West of England.

Researchers

13 researchers from the University of Bristol created profiles in the Zone.
8 researchers engaged with students through live Chats and/or Ask questions.
Researchers from a broad range of fields and career stages took part. For example:
- Eugenia Geddes Da Filicaia – PhD researcher in conservation between the University of Bristol and the National Gallery
- Fernando Alvira Iraizoz – Specialist Research Technician in animal physiology at the University of Bristol
- Eliza Hunt – Chemical Synthesis PhD student at the University of Bristol

Students

54 students from 3 schools from SW England logged into the Zone.
2 schools were target schools: 1 Widening Participation (WP) and 1 Underserved (U).

Live Chats & Questions

4 live Chats took place took place during the activity.
5 live Chats were booked but 1 was a ‘school no show’.
On average, 4 scientists attended each live Chat session.
1 teacher typed questions in a live Chat on behalf of their students, so the number of
students engaged may be higher by up to 15.
12 student questions were approved. Researchers responded with 10 answers.

Posted on February 11, 2021

modtom in News, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Health Zone Report – November 2020

Read the report: Health Zone Report – November 2020 [PDF]

The Health Zone ran from 2 to 27 November 2020. The Zone was one of 4 Zones that ran as part of I’m a Scientist: On Demand in November 2020.

The Health Zone was jointly funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and the British Society for Immunology (BSI). There were weekly evening chats for students to join from home, with two of these focussed on the topic of vaccinations.

Scientists

50 scientists created profiles in the Zone.
10 reported being members of the RSC and 16 as members of the BSI.
48 scientists engaged with students through live Chats and/or Ask questions.
Scientists were from a broad range of fields and career stages. For example:
- Samantha Watson – radiation scientist at Public Health England
- Bhagteshwar Singh – Clinical research fellow at The University of Liverpool
- Abbie Smith – trainee Medical Physicist working for the NHS

Students

486 students from 23 schools all over the UK logged into the Zone.
42% of active students were from target schools (WP and/or U).
- 21% were from widening participation (WP) schools
- 21% were from underserved (U) schools.

Chats & Questions

30 live Chats took place took place during the activity.
46 live Chats were booked (61% of capacity), but dropout was significantly higher thanusual with 10 cancellations and 6 ‘school no shows’.
On average, 8 scientists attended each live Chat session.
3 teachers typed questions in a live Chat on behalf of their students, so the number ofstudents engaged will be higher.
44 student questions were approved. Scientists responded with 201 answers.

Posted on January 18, 2021

modtom in 2020, RSC, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Physics Zone Report – November 2020

Read the report: Physics Zone Report – November 2020 [PDF]

The Physics Zone ran from 2 to 27 November 2020. The Zone was one out of 4 Zones that ran as part of I’m a Scientist: On Demand in November 2020.

The Physics Zone was funded by the Ogden Trust.

Scientists

36 scientists created profiles in the Zone.
35 scientists engaged with students through live Chats and/or Ask questions.
Scientists from a broad range of fields and career stages took part. For example:
- Leah Morgan – project engineer for the UK Atomic energy Authority
- Pratik Samant – Postdoctoral researcher at University of Oxford
- Viviene Dela Cruz – development scientist working for the STFC

Students

616 students from 20 schools logged into the Zone.
Turnout was 61% of the 1,000 capacity.
70% of active students were from target schools (WP and/or U).
- 38% were from widening participation (WP) schools.
- 48% were from underserved (U) schools.

Chats & Questions

34 live Chats took place took place during the activity.
46 live Chats were booked (77% of expected levels), but dropout was higher thanusual with 9 cancellations and 3 ‘school no shows’.
On average, 5 scientists attended each live Chat session.
1 teacher typed questions in a live Chat on behalf of their students, so the number ofstudents engaged may be higher by up to 25.
267 student questions were approved. Scientists responded with 535 answers.

Posted on January 18, 2021

modtom in 2020, The Ogden Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Psychology Zone Report – November 2020

Read the report: Psychology Zone Report – November 2020 [PDF]

The Psychology Zone ran from 2 to 27 November 2020. The Zone was one out of 4 Zones that ran as part of I’m a Scientist: On Demand in November 2020.

The Psychology Zone was funded by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Scientists

41 psychologists created profiles in the Zone.
27 engaged with students through live Chats and/or Ask questions.
Psychologists were from a broad range of fields and career stages. For example:
- Marianna Karavidas – Assistant Psychologist in the NHS
- Simon Payne – lecturer in Psychology and Behaviour Change at AberystwythUniversity
- Madeleine Steeds – cyberpsychologist at the University of Manchester

Students

384 students from 17 schools all over the UK logged into the Zone.
80% of active students were from target schools (WP and/or U).
- 39% were from widening participation (WP) schools.
- 71% were from underserved (U) schools.

Chats & Questions

26 live Chats took place took place during the activity.
36 live Chats were booked (60% of capacity), but dropout was higher than usual with10 cancellations.
On average, 5 psychologists attended each live Chat session.
41 student questions were approved. Psychologists responded with 217 answers.

Posted on January 18, 2021

modtom in 2020, BPS, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Yellow Zone Report – October 2020

Read the report: Yellow Zone Report – October 2020 [PDF]

The Yellow Zone ran from the 28th September – 23rd October. This Zone was the second of the I’m a Scientist: On Demand zones, which were created to allow schools to have flexibility in when, and how, they took part. The Yellow Zone was a general zone, supported by the Wellcome Trust and the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

32 scientists created profiles in the Zone. 27 engaged with students in live chats and Ask.
Scientists from a broad range of fields and career stages took part. For example, Ranjini Swaminathan is a research science solving climate problems at the University of Reading, Will Davison is a PhD student in Sustainable Aquaculture at the University of Exeter, and Gaby Mayorga Adame is an coastal ocean modeller at the National Oceanography Centre.
65 live chats took place took place during the activity. On average, 3 researchers attended each live chat session.
187 posted questions were approved and sent to the researchers who responded with 326 answers.
875 students from 28 schools all over the UK logged into the Zone. 11 of these schools had taken part in a previous I’m a Scientist activity.
212 of active students were from widening participation schools, and 317 from underserved schools.

Posted on November 12, 2020

modem in 2020, STFC, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Blue Zone – September 2020

Read the report: Blue Zone Report [PDF]

Read the report: Blue Zone Report – September 2020 [PDF]

The Blue Zone ran from the 2nd – 25th September. This Zone was the first of the I’m a Scientist, On Demand zones. These zones ran throughout the Autumn 2020 term in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing schools to have flexibility in when and how they took part.

The Blue Zone was a general science zone.

30 scientists created profiles in the Zone. 21 of these scientists engaged with students in live chats and Ask.
Scientists from a broad range of fields and career stages took part. For example, Fatma Salahioglu is a Forensic Scientist working in the pharmaceutical industry, Ashleigh Barron works as a Laser Technician in Glasgow, and Yueng Lenn is a Physics Oceanographer.
17 live chats took place took place during the activity. On average, 3 researchers attended each live chat session.
18 posted questions were approved and sent to the researchers who responded with 52 answers.
189 students from 9 schools all over the UK logged into the Zone.
24% of active students were from widening participation schools, and 42% from underserved schools

Posted on November 5, 2020

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Psychology Zone Report – Stay at home 2020

Read the report: Psychology Zone Report – Stay at home 2020 [PDF]

In March 2020, I’m a Scientist, Stay at home was launched to allow school students to stay connected with STEM during the school closures due to coronavirus. Students could log in and take part whether they were at school or at home, reconnecting with their teachers and each other.

The Psychology Zone ran over 12 weeks as part of the Stay at home activities, instead of the usual two. This Zone was funded by the British Psychological Society with additional funding from UKRI.

46 psychologists created profiles in the Zone, and 41 engaged with students in live chats and answering questions. 23 of these psychologists were new to the I’m a Scientist activities.
Psychologists from a broad range of areas and career stages took part. For example, Alan Winfield is a Professor researching the ethical impact of robots on society, Lara Quartel is a PhD student studying how young people’s brains work in those with mental health problems, and Abbie Jordan does research helping young people who are affected by pain. On average, 5 psychologists attended each live chat session.
581 students from 31 schools all over the UK logged into the Zone. 26 of these schools had taken part in a previous I’m a Scientist activity
27% of active students were from Widening Participation schools, and 61% from Underserved Schools.

Posted on August 26, 2020

modem in 2020, BPS, UKRI, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Physics Zone Report – Stay at home 2020

Read the report: Physics Zone Report – Stay at home 2020 [PDF]

The Physics Zone ran over 12 weeks as part of the Stay at home activities, instead of the usual two. There were 97 live chats, compared to the usual two week zone average of 16. This Zone was funded by The Ogden Trust with additional funding from UKRI.

120 scientists created profiles in the Zone, and 109 engaged with students in live chats and answering questions. 81 of these scientists were new to the I’m a Scientist activities.
Scientists from a broad range of areas and career stages took part. For example, Ry Cutter is a PhD student studying colliding black holes, Tom Louth designs instruments for the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, and Dipendra Mistry is an engineer working with radiowaves. On average, 6 researchers attended each live chat session.
1,186 students from 52 schools all over the UK logged into the Zone. 31 of these schools had taken part in a previous I’m a Scientist activity.
16% of active students were from Widening Participation schools, and 44% from Underserved Schools.

Posted on August 26, 2020

modem in 2020, The Ogden Trust, UKRI, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Medical Research Zone Report – Stay at home 2020

Read the report: Medical Research Zone Report – Stay at home 2020 [PDF]

The Medical Research Zone ran over 12 weeks as part of the Stay at home activities and was funded by the Medical Research Council with additional funding from UKRI.

135 scientists created profiles in the Zone. 121 engaged with students in live chats and answering questions.
104 of the scientists were new to the I’m a Scientist activities.
Scientists from a broad range of areas and career stages took part. For example, Kim Liu is a Chemical Biologist, Anabel Martinez Lyons is a Liver Cancer Researcher and Luke Bryden is a Neuroscience PhD student at the University of Oxford.
91 live chats took place during the activity. On average, 7 researchers attended each live chat session.
229 posted questions were approved and sent to the researchers who responded with 636 answers.
1,248 students from 53 schools all over the UK logged into the Zone. 33 of these schools had taken part in a previous I’m a Scientist activity.
8% of active students were from widening participation schools, and 55% from underserved schools.

Posted on August 26, 2020

modem in 2020, MRC, UKRI, Zone Reports | Comments Off

Disease Detectives Zone Report – Stay at home 2020

Read the report: Disease Detectives Zone Report – Stay at home 2020 [PDF]

The Disease Detectives Zone ran over 12 weeks as part of the Stay at home activities, instead of the usual two. There were 93 live chats, compared to the usual two week zone average of 16. This Zone was funded by the Wellcome Genome Campus with additional funding from UKRI.

81 scientists created profiles in the Zone, and 78 engaged with students in live chats and answering questions. 74 of these scientists were new to the I’m a Scientist activities.
Scientists from a broad range of areas and career stages took part. For example, Alena Pance is a cell biologist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute studying malaria, Lucy McGowan is a PhD student studying bone health, and Hugo Lewkowicz works in Public Health predicting how illnesses spread. On average, 7 researchers attended each live chat session.
1,231 students from 39 schools all over the UK logged into the Zone. 23 of these schools had taken part in a previous I’m a Scientist activity.
16% of active students were from Widening Participation schools, and 69% from Underserved Schools.

Posted on August 26, 2020

modem in 2020, UKRI, Wellcome Genome Campus, Zone Reports | 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