After two weeks of intense debate, stimulating chats and thought-provoking questions, I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here! draws to an end.

The five STFC scientists in each of the Subatomic and Zinc Zones battled it out for student votes, chatting with students in 36 live chats and answering 684 questions along the way.

The scientists were eliminated one by one, to reveal the winner in each zone. So, congratulations to the winners:

Ben Still – Subatomic Zone – Queen Mary, University of London
Peta Foster – Zinc Zone – STFC Central Laser Facility

Ben and Peta both receive £500 to spend on a science communication project, and we can’t wait to see their wonderful ideas put into practice!

Ben plans to “Put it towards producing some podcasts and a documentary for everyone to enjoy” and Peta wants to “Create a demonstration of the best question/s I receive here so that it can be used for tours and taken to schools.”

Thank you, and commiserations, to all the other scientists. You’ve been brilliant participants and each and every one of you contributed to the success of this event. The event couldn’t run without all the effort you put in.

Thank you to all the teachers for your enthusiasm and involvement and finally thanks to all the students! Your brilliant chats and thought provoking questions have kept the scientists on their toes. As one of the scientists said during the event “The questions are great – was just discussing some of them with my research group at lunch“.

Students, please remember to fill our feedback survey, so we can make I’m a Scientist even better in the future.

To take part in future events, scientists and schools can sign up now.

And finally, a BIG thank you to the Science & Technology Facilities Council for sponsoring the Subatomic and Zinc Zones in this event. The conversations explored all areas of STFC research, from the Large Hadron Collider and Neutrinos in the news to lasers and particle accelerators.

See you next time!