Today was a big day. We kicked of 13 live chats across 7 zones; introducing both scientists and students.
Scientists have been getting quite excite but nervous over the weekend. Vicky Young (scientist) tweeted “Im a little nervous for it all now. The live chats seem like they might be very intense! Speed typing would help!” Vicky wasn’t the only scientist expecting both the physical and computer strain. Leila Battison tweeted that she’d “even changed the batteries in my keyboard, anticipating overusage!”
The newly trained mod(erator)s were also feeling the heat. One mod tweeted “Just gearing up for @imascientist #IAS2011 the words baptism and fire spring to mind.”
Once the live chats had started, scientists and students soon got the hang of it.
A common theme was apocalyptic mortality, with lots of students asking if the world will end in 2012. Scientists couldn’t give definite answers for these questions, showing scientists don’t actually know everything.
It seemed like some scientists found it hard to tear themselves away at the end of chats, one scientist said: “I wish I did this all day but I am off to a dull meeting now!” scientists don’t actually know everything.
Students have also been using the ASK button to discuss some pretty big questions; including “how did the world begin?” and “how big is the universe?“.
But as per usual, questions are predictably unpredictable and some questions teeter on bizarre. Our favourites include “is there such a thing as a dog space suit?“, “what is the science of toast?” and “how do 3D glasses work?”
So far over 1,500 questions have been asked by students and we’re expecting lots, lots more.
Getting to this point has taken a lot of preparation so it’s great to see everyone’s hard work paying off.
You can join in the camaraderie on Twitter by following #IAS2012.