In February 2021, the Purple Zone ran for 4 weeks.

The activity was all about science, featuring 24 scientists from a broad range of fields.

867 students logged in, taking part in over 65 live chats and sending 150 questions to the scientists.

During the activity, students voted for their favourite scientist. 100 votes were cast, and the winner was Amelia Gilio.

Here’s what she had to say about being crowned the Purple Zone winner…

I am delighted that you voted me your Purple Zone winner!

I would like to say a big thank you to all of the students who participated and asked such smart and curious questions. I hope you all stay this inquisitive as it is the best way to keep learning, wherever your interests lie!

Engaging with you all over the past month has been an enlightening experience; I have learnt a lot about myself and your questions have made me think about my research from a new perspective. I have loved being able to share with you my enthusiasm for my job and I hope that, along with the other scientists, I have shown you that science careers can be a lot of fun and a great path to take in life.

The I’m a Scientist team and STFC funding that made these chats possible also deserve a big thank you, especially the mods who did a great job with convincing some students in particular that we are real scientists and not bots on your computers!

I would definitely recommend participating in I’m a Scientist to both schools and scientists as it is a rewarding experience from both sides. I hope that in ten years or so some of the next generation of scientists will have been encouraged to follow a path in science, technology, engineering and maths, due to the chats that they had on this platform.

I look forward to being able to use the prize money to develop engagement and outreach activities with my research group and the chemistry department at the University of York, we already have some ideas in the pipeline… I hope we have inspired some budding scientists and can continue inspiring many more, perhaps one of them is you!

Amelia Gilio
Purple Zone winner

The Purple Zone was funded by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council.