Over the last week, scientists and students across the UK have been engaging online in I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here.
A huge variety of questions
Together they’ve talked about:
- the future of quantum computers
- the death of grass
- staying motivated in science
- colliding the continents
- The sustainability of the pharmaceutical industry
- qualifications for becoming a chemist
- reductionism versus holism in psychology
- changing your mind about careers
- does pineapple belong on pizza (Ed: No)
- being scared at work
- whether research has real world applications
- and of course, coronavirus, A LOT
There are 14 zones taking place at once this March:
- Electromagnetic Zone, Particles Zone, Space Zone, Copernicium Zone, Flerovium Zone, Livermorium Zone and Moscovium Zone all funded by the STFC
- Childhood Zone and Community Zone funded by British Psychological Society
- Energy Zone funded by Royal Society of Chemistry
- Molecule Zone funded by ScotCHEM
- Antimicrobial Zone funded by Society for Applied Microbiology and Wellcome
- Food Zone and the general science Nihonium Zone funded by Wellcome.
See all the scientists and schools taking part.
In total, in the first seven days has seen:
- 3,272 school students logging in to the 14 zones
- 1,615 ASK questions sent in by students sent to the 83 scientists
- 2,017 votes cast by students for their favourites
- (almost) uncountable levels of conversation in the 104 live chats that have taken place.
I was just about to write the same exact tweet! #scicomm #stem #BSW20
— Dr Stacey New (@DrStaceyNew) March 13, 2020
Connecting despite COVID-19 in Science Week Zone
The current coronavirus situation has sadly meant many live events for British Science Week, such as the Big Bang Fair, have had to be cancelled.
To help out, we set up the Science Week Zone. This extra Zone was run especially for those schools and students missing out to connect with Big Bang exhibitors and other scientists.
"This makes me feel like I'm talking directly to you!!!!!!!!!!!!" 😁
Looks like Primary students are enjoying their chat in Science Week Zone, connecting school with Big Bang Fair exhibitors and other scientists: https://t.co/DH8yxYOjvy #IASUK pic.twitter.com/dw8RyfENjb
— I'm a Scientist Team (@imascientist) March 13, 2020
Get involved
If all this has got you wanting a piece of the action, then apply for the next I’m a Scientist, scheduled for 8 to 19 June. Or, if you’re already registered, tell your colleagues to sign up!
Still to come this March
From 3pm on Tuesday the pressure starts to mount as the first scientist is evicted from each zone, with another following each day after. Who will survive to stay in the running for the £500 prize?
Find out before anyone else from the announcement in the staffroom each day until the winners are announced this Friday 20 March. Best of luck to all the scientists!