We’ve put together some useful materials and information about I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here.
You are welcome to use these materials to promote the activity on social media, emails, newsletters, pamphlets, town criers, anything you like really!
With each item, we suggest when to use it and give an example.
If what you need isn’t here, please contact us on support@imascientist.org.uk or 01225 667922.
✍️ Editorial
For Scientists — Long version
For emails, meetings, presentations, etc.
Inspire the next generation of computer scientists
Take part in I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here and connect with school students from around the UK in fast-paced, instant messaging-style Chats.
You’ll help students see themselves in computer science. In reading about you and your work, classroom subjects become relevant to real life, now and in the future. Hear students’ ideas and engage them in conversations on a diverse range of topics in computing. Help them to understand the value and versatility of computer science in their everyday life, regardless of career destination.
Find out more and sign up to take part at https://imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/ncce/
Unlike visiting lectures or science festivals, the I’m a Scientist activity is student-led. The text-based platform gives every student an equal voice. Students can explore the elements of your work in computing that interest them, and get a personalised experience in return.
Based completely online, you can take part in I’m a Scientist from anywhere to engage with classes around the UK, from the Shetland Isles to Launceston, Cornwall.
All staff and trainees working in computing can apply to take part in I’m a Scientist this academic year. You’ll receive support in developing your communication skills and public engagement experience as part of the I’m a… Academy.
For Scientists — Short version
For newsletters, posters, social media and other communications where a little text needs to go a long way.
Inspire the next generation of computer scientists
Connect with students from around the UK in I’m a Scientist, supported by the National Centre for Computing Education. The online activity helps students to see themselves in computing and related careers, and offers you “the best crash-course in science communication”.
Find out more and sign up to take part at https://imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/ncce/
For Teachers — Long version
For emails, meetings, presentations, etc.
Teachers: connect your students with working computer scientists and support them to see science as something “for them”.
The I’m a Scientist activity supports your students’ science capital, showing them how the things they’ve learned about computing, programming, and technology relate to real-world careers. By discussing their questions and ideas with the experts, students see the relevance of their studies and gain insight into the value of computer science in their everyday lives.
Take part with your students: https://imascientist.org.uk/signup/t/ncce/
The text-based format gives every student an equal voice, from the most confident to the most shy. I’m a Scientist provides a platform for students to self-guide their learning, exploring a diverse range of computing subjects. The see that computer science is relevant to them, regardless of career destination.
Your students can learn about up to 30 scientists through profiles and CVs, representing a range of backgrounds. Students see computer science applied to a variety of careers, and see computing sector roles as something ‘for them’.
For Teachers — Short version
For newsletters, posters, social media and other communications where a little text needs to go a long way.
Teachers: connect your students with working computer scientists and support them to see science as something “for them”.
The online, student-led I’m a Scientist activity is being supported by the National Centre for Computing Education to help your students see where their studies could take them.
Take part with your students: https://imascientist.org.uk/signup/t/ncce/
✒️ Social Media Graphics
Tag us in your tweets @imascientist and include I’m a Scientist in your LinkedIn posts.
To use a graphic;
- right click on the one you’d like to use
- select ‘open in new tab‘ and drag it to your desktop
- or ‘save image as‘ and save it to your desktop
🤝 Showing support for IAS
Share all the good that your funding does in supporting I’m a Scientist
We’re proud to be supporting the STEM engagement activity I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here!
The I’m a Scientist activity connects working computer scientists with school students across the UK in online, fast-paced Chats to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Find out more and get involved: imascientist.org.uk
ℹ️ About I’m a Scientist
I’m a Scientist has been helping students see science as ‘for them’ for 15 years. The STEM enrichment activity connects school students with scientists through fast-paced, instant messaging-style Chats to show what working in STEM is really like.
Science becomes more than just a subject at school: it’s shown to be relevant to the world around them, to be exciting and ever-changing, and done by real people just like them.
In an I’m a Scientist Chat, the students set the level of conversation, asking the questions that are most important to them. The text-based platform gives every student an equal voice, from the most confident to the most shy. The activity engages 89% of students taking part.
As well as inspiring the next generation, the STEM professionals taking part benefit from the “best crash-course in science communication”. They are supported in developing their public engagement skills and carry these on through future activities. And they tell us that taking part is fun and rewarding.
Everything happens online and is monitored by DBS-checked moderators. Participation in I’m a Scientist is fully-funded for UK state-maintained schools.
➕ About Mangorolla CIC
Mangorolla CIC creates the I’m a… projects like I’m a Scientist, I’m an Engineer, I’m a Medic and more.
Through our student-led online engagement activities, which stretch nationally and internationally, we have helped STEM professionals connect with schools that are underserved by traditional outreach models.
We have received funding to improve the public engagement skills of individuals from organisations like the Genetics Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, Johnson Matthey, and many more.
We know how to run public engagement that sees real results; benefiting scientists, engaging students, and supporting EDI in the wider STEM industry.
Find out more: mangorol.la
🗣️ Quotes
Quotes from participants:
“The best crash course in science communication there is.” – Ben Still, Scientist
“Compared to my previous experience with outreach projects as part of a fair, it felt like I had much more 1-on-1 time with each student asking the questions, without feeling the pressure of having to keep them interested.” – Ross Low, Scientist
“I thought it was one of the most accessible ways to engage in outreach and everyone should give it a go. It’s flexible, enjoyable, and rewarding. It also makes you think about your work from a completely new perspective.” – Luke Townsend, Scientist
“Our chats made me re-think my research and how I got doing my job. In turn, I learnt a lot about myself and chatting with [the students] reminded me how much I love being a scientist.” – Gael Lymer, Scientist
“It was easy to fit around work and reached a large number of students. Plus there was less planning than if, say, I’m running an activity with a school. Just turn up and chat – large impact, small effort.” – Polly, Scientist
🎞️ Introductory video
📸 Photos
These photos are on a Creative Commons attribution license. You are free to use them for whatever you want, but please credit I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here (or the shorter version I’m a Scientist). You can use the photos in the same way as the graphics above.
