Category Archives: Zone Reports

Memory Zone Report – November 2018

Read the full report

The Memory Zone was a themed zone funded by The British Psychological Society and featured six psychologists:

  • Warren Mansell uses a scientific theory of control to make an impact on diverse areas such as mental health, skill learning, coping with dementia and robotics
  • Shanti Shanker is a psychology lecturer at Bournemouth University looking to understand the role of brain structures in memory, attention and forgetting
  • Pizza Chow is a bio-psychologist aiming to better understand how animals think and behave
  • Paul Matusz studies the brain to understand how people of all ages learn new information and how those skills can be enhanced through the use of technology
  • Nadine Mirza is conducting research into why people from different cultures are not getting the necessary help needed for dementia and what to do about it
  • The zone winner, Alex Reid, is a sleep researcher at the University of York, looking at the way sleep influences the brain and the storage of memories

This zone received a higher than average number of questions in ASK compared with other I’m a Scientist zones this November. Most of the students had clearly taken time to read the psychologists’ profiles to ask specific questions about their research area or career history.

Posted on January 14, 2019 modamy in 2018, BPS, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Memory Zone Report – November 2018

Crystallography Zone Report – November 2018

Read the full report

The Crystallography Zone was a themed zone supported by the Science & Technology Facilities Council and it featured six scientists:

  • William Glass is a PhD student at the University of Oxford where he is using computers to simulate proteins
  • Rebecca Roddan is studying for a PhD, looking at an enzyme with the aim of making new drugs
  • Martyna Pastok is a Postdoctoral Research Associate working at Newcastle University where she is trying to understand how molecules regulate cell division
  • Callum McHugh, the zone winner, is a senior lecturer in chemistry and makes organic crystals to work out what their structure is
  • Alice Loasby works at the University of Bristol performing protein purifications, assays and crystal tray setups
  • Adam Berlie is an instrument scientist at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC, and works with muons

In this zone students asked mainly about career advice, questions to get to know the scientists a little better and more general science topics. Where questions were linked to the zone theme, they were often asking what crystallography actually was, or questions focused on crystals.

Posted on January 14, 2019 modamy in 2018, STFC, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Crystallography Zone Report – November 2018

Fast Computing Zone Report – November 2018

Read the full report

The Fast Computing Zone was a themed zone supported by the Science & Technology Facilities Council and involved six scientists:

  • Stewart Martin-Haugh is a particle physicist who writes code to ensure the right data from the Large Hadron Collider is recorded
  • Miriam Hogg is a PhD student, using computers to study planets and stars as a theoretical physicist
  • Marton Olbei is also a PhD student and his research uses computers to study bacteria
  • Laura Kent tests electronics to ensure they work in extreme environments as a research scientist at the National Physical Laboratory
  • Kathryn Coldham uses code to analyse data taken from the Large Hadron Collider to research a particle called the top quark
  • David Ho, this zone’s winner, uses computer models to calculate the properties of theoretical particles that have never been seen

Discussions between the students and scientists in this zone mainly focused on how technology, computing and physics could be used to help people or the wider society. The students were also keen to get to know the scientists on a personal level.

Posted on January 14, 2019 modamy in 2018, STFC, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Fast Computing Zone Report – November 2018

Epidemic Zone Report – November 2018

Read the full report

The Epidemic Zone was a themed zone supported by Wellcome with six scientists participating:

  • Verity Hill is a PhD student, using genetics to better understand the spread and evolution of the Ebola virus
  • Trystan Leng uses maths to study the spread of sexually transmitted infections through populations and how to control that spread as part of his PhD research
  • Raquel Medialdea Carrera is a field epidemiologist at the European Centre for Disease Control and identifies epidemics and how to control them
  • Danny Ward, the winner of this zone, is a PhD student trying to understand how bacteria are able to infect living things and how we can stop them doing so
  • Catherine Smith is an infectious disease data scientist working at UCL using coding to assess disease epidemiology
  • Andy Guise conducts research and lectures on inequality, health and homelessness at King’s College London

Students were very interested in the zone theme, asking about each of the scientists’ areas of research in addition to general questions about epidemics and diseases. A third of the questions put to the scientists in ASK concerned careers and education, but students were also interested to know about the scientists’ spare time and hobbies.

Posted on January 14, 2019 modamy in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Epidemic Zone Report – November 2018

Childhood Zone Report – November 2018

Read the full report

The Childhood Zone was a themed zone supported by The British Psychological Society. It featured six psychologists:

  • Tom Gallagher-Mitchell’s PhD focuses on how we learn numbers from a young age. He’s also a lecturer in psychology at Liverpool Hope University.
  • Sarah Hodge specialises in Cyberpsychology and she is interested in how we make moral decisions in videogames.
  • Owen Jones doing a PhD at Liverpool John Moores University looking at how children travel to school and what they like, and dislike, about how they travel.
  • Nathan Hook works for Ofsted, using data to generate insight about the Further Education & Skills sector.
  • Lorna Camus is a PhD student, looking at how secondary school affects autistic children’s mental health.
  • Abbie Jordan, the winner of this zone, is a working with young people who experience ongoing pain.

Being a sixth-form zone, the questions were often linked to university and degree choices. Students asked about specific areas of psychology and sometimes asked for links to studies. Popular topics included ‘Nature vs Nurture’, sexuality and social media.

Posted on January 11, 2019 modamy in 2018, BPS, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Childhood Zone Report – November 2018

MRC Festival Zone 2018 Zone Report

Read the full report

The MRC Festival Zone was a four-week-long event funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) as part of the MRC Festival of Medical Research. There were 25 MRC scientists and support staff taking part.

32 schools from all over the UK participated in the zone, with 1,404 students logging in over the four weeks. Over half the schools were widening participation and/or under-served. Teachers from 45 schools accepted places in the zone. However, several were unable to participate, mostly due to scheduling difficulties.

In the Ask section students asked 740 approved questions. Of these, over 50% were relating to science and medical research topics, a figure higher than the average for an I’m a Scientist two-week, general science zone.

76 online, text-based live chats took place during the MRC Festival Zone, three of which were evening chats, where students could access the chat from home to show their families, increasing parental engagement with the activities students do in school.

Posted on August 3, 2018 modmichaela in 2018, MRC, Zone Reports | Comments Off on MRC Festival Zone 2018 Zone Report

Food Zone Report – June 2018

Read the full report

The Food Zone was supported by Wellcome and involved six scientists.

  • Stephen models the environmental impact of livestock farming, and looks at the effect of food sharing on the sustainability of food systems in cities
  • Simran is a PhD student using design and technology to tackle the problem of food production and consumption in future cities
  • Paul is researching how to get the most from permanent grassland, including food production, supporting wildlife and reducing the risk of flooding
  • Mark is looking at Salmonella Typhimurium: how it responds to different conditions, its physical characteristics and the genes within the bacteria
  • Jenny is looking at the effects different types of fishing can have on the environment, helping make fish products more ‘eco-friendly’
  • Ali, the winner of the Food Zone, is a sports nutritionist who works with athletes to find out how foods can make you better at sports

In this zone there were great conversations between students and scientists about all things to do with food. The winner of the zone, Ali, attended nearly every live chat and made up over half of all chat lines from scientists.

 

Posted on July 17, 2018 modamy in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Food Zone Report – June 2018

Heart Zone Report – June 2018

Read the full report

The Heart Zone was a primary school zone supported by Wellcome.

  • Samuel, the winner of the zone, works on new technologies for assessing the state of the heart and its arteries
  • Pankaj is a doctor and scientist, who also lectures in cardiovascular medicine
  • Lucy looks at the heart and blood vessels of unborn babies to see how they are affected by changes in their environment
  • Kate is studying for her PhD and is focusing on the shape of the heart in patients with aortic stenosis
  • Jordan processes blood samples, separating them into groups and filtering them before they are ready for testing
  • Emma programs pacemakers, monitors patients during operations and performs ultrasound scans on the heart in her work at a hospital

Students in this zone were very excited to talk with scientists which came across in the lively and fun chats. Students wanted to know about all things to do with the heart, as well as getting to know the scientists on a personal level.

 

Posted on July 17, 2018 modamy in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Heart Zone Report – June 2018

Healthy Cities Zone Report – June 2018

Read the full report

The Healthy Cities Zone was supported by Wellcome and encouraged students to think about how we could build healthier places for us to live.

  • Urslaan is a data scientist who makes sure databases for roads, railways and other transport are correct
  • Nicola is an environmental geologist, looking at maps and ground investigation information to test the soil for chemicals
  • Helen specialises in designing infrastructures for cyclists and pedestrians
  • Daniel, the winner of the Healthy Cities Zone, is an environmental scientist who measures air pollution within the demolition and construction industries
  • Becky teaches courses in ecology and conservation and researches how people’s actions affect wildlife
  • Andrew is an environmental scientist looking at how we pollute our environment, the impact of this influence and possible solutions

This was the busiest zone in June’s event, with the highest number of students logging in and questions in Ask. We also ran an evening chat in every zone for students to show their families the zone, and 20 students from the Healthy Cities Zone logged in from home to chat again with the scientists.

 

Posted on July 17, 2018 modamy in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Healthy Cities Zone Report – June 2018

Society Zone Report – June 2018

Read the full report

The Society Zone was a themed psychology zone, funded by the British Psychological Society, with six psychologists taking part.

  • Stephen is a PhD student looking at the biases that people tell themselves, and how to encourage happiness from rational thoughts
  • Maria is interested in how words are organised and divided into categories in our brains
  • John is a lecturer and forensic psychologist working in a secure hospital to treat mentally unwell offenders
  • Daniel, the winner in this zone, researches why some people believe in conspiracy theories
  • Claire is studying language for her PhD, specifically the way we talk about alcoholism and drinking
  • Amy is a lecturer interested in the differences in how Autistic and Neuro-typical people see the world

This zone was very on topic with students engaging really well with the theme. They could easily relate a lot of the psychologists’ research to their own lives, such as Amy’s work with autism and Stephen’s research into happiness.

This zone had a higher number of sixth form classes than normal, and as these have smaller class sizes the chats and Ask were quieter than expected. In the future, we will be over-filling psychology zones to compensate for having fewer students.

 

Posted on July 17, 2018 modamy in 2018, BPS, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Society Zone Report – June 2018

Wellbeing Zone Report – June 2018

Read the full report

The Wellbeing Zone had five psychologists and was supported by The British Psychological Society.

  • Viren is a social psychologist studying body image, how we feel and think about our bodies, and how we can develop a more positive view
  • Sam, the winner of the Wellbeing Zone, is a PhD student researching self-control and how this can cause people to drink more, or less, alcohol
  • Noel lectures in sport and exercise psychology and is interested in how a person’s thoughts while exercising influences their performance
  • Amy is a biomedical scientist who uses rats to investigate the relationship between happy moods and how often we eat
  • Abby is a health psychologist looking to find the most effective ways to help people quit smoking

A sixth member of the zone unfortunately had to drop out early in the first week due to personal circumstances and will be included in a future zone.

This zone was quieter than other zones in June’s event, due to a higher number of sixth form classes than normal taking part, with small class sizes. We anticipate more sixth form classes will apply for future psychology zones, so will be over-filling these zones to compensate for the smaller student numbers.

 

Posted on July 17, 2018 modamy in 2018, BPS, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Wellbeing Zone Report – June 2018

Berkelium Zone Report – June 2018

Read the full report

The Berkelium Zone was a general science zone supported by Wellcome.

  • Yewande is researching the use of nitric oxide as an anaesthetic and the affect the gas has on brain cells
  • Tim is studying earthquakes and how they behave, the dangers they pose and the opportunities they offer
  • Melanie is a technician in the Biomedical Science department at the University of Sheffield
  • Hayley is a PhD student using mathematics to model WiFi signals
  • Carl is a manager at a chemical plant responsible for the quality and productivity the plant delivers
  • Alex, the winner in this zone, is studying the impact of non-native plants on small rivers and streams

Students in this zone really engaged with the scientists’ work, as well as generally about areas such as space and animals, with nearly half of all questions asked being about science topics.

We also ran an evening chat in every zone for students to access from home and show their families, increasing parental engagement with the activities students are doing in school. The Berkelium Zone evening chat was the busiest out of all the zones, with 27 students logging in from home to chat again with the scientists.

 

Posted on July 17, 2018 modamy in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Berkelium Zone Report – June 2018

Californium Zone Report – June 2018

Read the full report

The Californium Zone was a general science zone supported by Wellcome, with six scientists from a range of fields.

  • Thomas investigates the earth beneath our feet to make sure buildings and tunnels don’t collapse, and homes don’t flood
  • Hayley works in cellular pathology, turning biopsies into slides to help diagnose a patient
  • Ella, the winner of this zone, is a first-year PhD student researching how neurons talk to each other
  • David designs and builds new CT scanners for research in dentistry
  • Alison is a PhD student researching how to utilise microalgae for biotechnology applications
  • Alex is a neurosurgeon in training, performing brain and spine surgeries

Students engaged well with the scientists’ research, with one of the most popular topics both in Ask and Chat being Ella and Alex’s work with the brain. This zone was the quietest of all June’s zones as two schools with a number of classes unfortunately had to drop out at the start of the event, and we weren’t able to replace them.

 

Posted on July 17, 2018 modamy in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Californium Zone Report – June 2018

Climate Zone Report – March 2018

Read the full report

The Climate Zone was supported by Wellcome and specifically for students in Year 6 and Year 7. In this zone, we worked with a PhD researcher who will be analysing the language of the questions asked to find out what students think about the climate. Because of this, we asked teachers not to brief their class on the climate before taking part. We edited the questions on the profiles of the scientists to try and prompt students to think about the climate, and within chats moderators encouraged students to stay on topic.

Six scientists took part in the zone: Stephen is a Climate and Environmental Specialist for the United Nations, Stephanie, the winner of the zone, is looking for ways to improve wind turbines to make renewable energy cheaper and Rehemat is studying 50 million year old plankton fossils to see how they lived through climate change. Christopher writes computer code that generates weather forecasts, Caroline is a social scientist studying the public’s attitudes to climate change and Aileen is a PhD student looking at how fungi react to extra greenhouse gases to predict how forests will grow in the future.

 

Posted on April 17, 2018 modmichaela in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Climate Zone Report – March 2018

Enquiry Zone Report – March 2018

Read the full report

The Enquiry Zone was supported by Wellcome and was for Year 6 students to work with scientists to develop a citizen science project. The scientists involved each suggested a research idea which they refined with the students in the live chats and ASK section, and students then voted for the project they most wanted to carry out at their school.

Sakshi wanted to work with students to find out how boys and girls are different from each other, Martin’s experiment idea was to measure the breath of students and see if that could tell us how students feel during the day and Luke wanted to find out what students think about regenerative medicine and stem cells. Jennifer, the winner of this zone, proposed a project that would look at how much primary school students knew about their own bodies and Dan wanted to find out whether students were able to pace themselves during physical activity.

This was the second Enquiry Zone we have run, and this time we changed the scientists’ profile questions so they could focus on the aims and method of their experiment ideas. As with the Enquiry Zone we ran last March, the best chats were those where students had been briefed by their teacher beforehand and had had a chance to discuss the scientists’ experiment ideas before meeting them.

As the event went on, all of the scientists improved how they spoke to students within the live chats and learnt to prompt the students with questions about their projects to engage them in conversation.

 

Posted on April 17, 2018 modmichaela in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Enquiry Zone Report – March 2018

Genes Zone Report – March 2018

Read the full report

The Genes Zone was a themed zone supported by Wellcome. Yinka is studying the DNA of cows in Africa to improve the amount of milk they can produce, Stéphane is researching the effect different lifestyles have on human sperm quality and Matt is a bioinformatician making pictures to explain patterns in gut microbes. Juhi is a PhD student researching genetic causes of pregnancy complications, Gemma teaches NHS staff about genetics and how it can help them provide better care for patients and David, the winner of this zone, is a postdoctoral research fellow studying the genetics of depression.

Students were very engaged with the zone theme and over 50% of questions in ASK were about science topics, relating to all things genetics. The scientists were great at explaining things in a way students could understand and often provided videos and links to support their answers.

Posted on April 17, 2018 modmichaela in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Genes Zone Report – March 2018

Immune System Zone Report – March 2018

Read the full report

The Immune System Zone was supported by Wellcome. Sian is researching new medicines through microbial fermentation, Max (the winner of this zone) is a PhD student using gene editing to understand how white blood cells cause cancer and Lizzie works with biotech companies to help them communicate information about diseases to doctors. Francis is a post-doctoral researcher finding out how we can use a patient’s immune cells to fight cancer, Ben works in an immunology lab finding new ways to help people with arthritis and Ashlea is a PhD student studying how the immune system works and how it can go wrong.

This zone had the highest number of questions asked (897) and approved (489) out of all the zones in March’s event, with students engaging well with the topic and wanting to find out more about the scientists’ work. There was an even mix of questions about science topics, how science works and careers.

Posted on April 17, 2018 modmichaela in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Immune System Zone Report – March 2018

Space Data Zone Report – March 2018

Read the full report

The Space Data Zone was funded by the UK Space Agency. Tim, the winner of this zone, is a PhD student investigating waves that happen over and inside the sun, Stephen is using space telescopes to find out how the first stars formed and Sammie is using data from satellites to work out how much sea ice is in the Arctic. Rachel is looking water supply in the environment using information from satellites, Mark is a PhD student studying the most ancient light in the universe and Lisa uses radars, cameras and rockets to find out how the magnetic fields of the Sun and the Earth interact.

Students in this zone engaged really well with the zone theme, with lots of interest in space and the work of the scientists. Lisa took part in the event from where she lives and works in Svalbard, and students were interested in what it was like to live there.

Posted on April 17, 2018 modmichaela in 2018, UKSA, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Space Data Zone Report – March 2018

Americium Zone Report – March 2018

Read the full report

The Americium Zone was a general science zone supported by Wellcome, with six scientists all working in different areas. Walaa is a PhD student studying bee behaviour, Sophie, the winner of the zone, is a PhD student looking at human impact on the climate and Sarah is an air quality specialist predicting future air quality levels. Gabriel is a biomedical scientist working with doctors to find out which patients need a pacemaker, Breandan is a Geohazard Specialist working out where it is safe to build on a seabed and Adam is working on a new vaccine for malaria.

This zone had the highest number of students logging in – over 600 – out off all the zones this March. Sophie, the winner of this zone, accounted for 64% of all live chat lines throughout the two weeks.

Posted on April 17, 2018 modmichaela in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Americium Zone Report – March 2018

Curium Zone Report – March 2018

Read the full report

The Curium Zone was a general science zone supported by Wellcome, with six scientists all working in different areas. Matthew works for the Institute of Cancer research detecting cancer in blood, Kezia is a PhD student developing new solar cells and Jacque, the winner of this zone, is researching ways to increase the yields of nematodes to control insects on crops. Hazel is a geologist researching how people think and talk about geology, Fiona is a PhD student in mathematical biology finding out how our immune system can fight cancer and Daniel is a director of an environmental planning consultancy providing soil science advice.

The Curium Zone was quiet with a below average number of students logging in. This zone had a huge range of questions asked and 94% of students logged in were active in ASK, Chat or Vote – higher than the average for March’s zones.

Posted on April 17, 2018 modmichaela in 2018, Wellcome Trust, Zone Reports | Comments Off on Curium Zone Report – March 2018

About I’m a Scientist

    I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here is an online event where school students get to meet and interact with scientists. It’s an X Factor-style 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.  

Keep Me Updated

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required
I'd like information for
How we use your information* Subscribing to this list means we will email you with news about our projects. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. For more information, take a look at our Privacy Policy.

News Categories