Information for STFC scientists

The STFC are sponsoring the Electromagnetic Zone in I’m a Scientist this March, and the Measurement Zone in the sister project I’m an Engineer also in March.

To apply to take part in I’m a Scientist, go to http://imascientist.org.uk/stfc-scientist-registration

To apply to take part in I’m an Engineer, go to http://imanengineer.org.uk/stfc-engineer-application

Why take part?

What is the event?

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here! is an award-winning science enrichment and engagement activity. It takes place online (so it’s accessible to everyone – you can take part from your lab!) over a two week period. It’s an X Factor-style competition for scientists, where students are the judges.

The STFC are are looking for scientists from their research facilities, funded by STFC or working for STFC to take part in the March event from 12th – 23rd March 2012.

The event gets teenagers talking to real scientists, online, and learning about real science. Students have fun, but also get beyond stereotypes, learn about how science relates to real life, develop their thinking and discussion skills and make connections with real scientists. The event connects young people with STFC facilities and scientists.

Electromagnetic Zone

The STFC is looking for five of its researchers to take part in the Electromagnetic Zone in March 2012.

This zone will contain researchers using and exploring the entire electromagnetic spectrum, with work ranging from long radio waves through to the shortest gamma rays. The broad theme gives many STFC researchers the opportunity to share their amazing scientific discoveries; from the stunning pictures of the Universe using the whole of the spectrum, to important medical advances from using short frequencies in synchrotrons. Recently, a more unusual part of the spectrum, Terahertz radiation, has been used to design equipment that makes it possible to scan for explosives through people’s clothes.

Who’s eligible?: Everyone! We would like to involve practicing scientists, technicians, apprentices and policy makers, for example. If your work touches on the Electromagnetic Spectrum in any way please apply. If your work doesn’t fit so neatly but you’re still interested in taking part, please don’t let that put you off applying. There are other zones running in March and also in June 2012. So there’s plenty of opportunity to involve STFC researchers from all backgrounds.

How does the event work?

What’s involved?: You interact online with young people (Year 9 – Year 13, i.e. 13-18 years old), answering their questions about science, research, and just about everything else. You also listen to students’ opinions on science and get them thinking about how science affects their daily lives.

The students:

ASK you questions

CHAT to you online about you, your research and science

Then VOTE for the scientist they think deserves the prize

Time involved: The event itself lasts for two weeks, but before the event starts you should fill in your online profile so students can explore the scientists in their zone in the two weeks before the event. The time commitment depends on how busy your zone is, and how long you spend on your answers. Our best guess is volunteering about 2 hours a day speaking with your audience.

You need: A computer with an internet connection (and that’s all!)

Answering questions: Don’t be afraid to say ‘I don’t know’ – you will be asked many questions which are not in your area, and it shows students that there’s no reason why scientists should know everything about science.

Benefits of taking part.

Taking part in I’m a Scientist develops your communication skills – this is the most mentioned benefit.
It can re-energise you about your own science, and get you thinking differently.
You will make a difference. And you’ll be learning too. Teenagers ask all sorts of questions – from the cheeky to the thought-provoking. They fizz with energy and can be infectious company.

What have others said?

2 STFC scientists that took part in I’m a Scientist in June 2011 wrote about their experiences online: Ceri Brenner, a laser plasma physicist at the Central Laser Facility won the Quantum Zone and Derek McKay-Bukowski, a radio telescope project manager from RAL Space and the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory took part in the Chromium Zone.

In a piece in STFC’s Fascination Ceri says “The competition was a brilliant opportunity to give young people a glimpse into the life of a scientist and a feeling fro how cutting-edge science ultimately impacts on real lives”.

Dr Mark Fogg from York University wrote a moving blogpost about participating in the June 2010 event, which really conveys the impact that taking part can have on scientists.