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I’m a Scientist kicked off today with scientists answering lots of great questions queued up by students over the last few weeks. Scientists started with some of the really important questions, like… “How many hobnobs and cups of tea do you could have in one sitting?” ” is there scientific proof that having a moustache makes you more attractive?” and “Do cats actually like their owners?“. Students then asked more questions including.. “do you think cells can kill themselves?” or “is it possible to clone a person” and the tough decision of “If you were the last thousand of people on earth and you had to make a desicion between saving the knowledge of mankind, setting up a new goverment or finding food and shelter which one would you chosse“. The two common themes that have appeared today are cats and dolphins, unsuprisingly in the Animal Behaviour Zone as Kevin … Continue reading →

It’s time to announce the scientists and schools taking part in the Los Angeles I’m a Scientist event from 25th June – 6th July. Nearly 70 schools will be taking part with schools from Newcastle to Torquay. We’re hoping that, as in previous events, energy levels will be high and classes at these schools will have a great experience. One teacher in March 2012 said the best part of the event was “Seeing the excitement of the students as they received feedback to their questions”. Scientists As ever competition for scientists was tough, and choosing the final scientists to take part was hard. We had to turn down lots of scientists doing fascinating research. Scientists have thoroughly enjoyed previous events. One scientist who took part in March 2012 says “I hugely enjoyed it. There are clearly some smart kids out there”.   Molybdenum Zone Scientists SarahJayne Boulton Newcastle University I’m a … Continue reading →

GM foods have been hitting the headlines again recently. Debate has become argument and positions have become entrenched leaving it hard sometimes to work out the facts, and what’s relevant. I’m a Scientist, GM Food allows you to put your questions to a range of people with knowledge about the issues and hear  all the angles on something that may be central to the future of how we feed ourselves. The Zone will open on Monday 18th June for members of the public to pose their questions. Today we are asking you to help us choose the experts by nominating who you think should be participating. We’re looking for a range of people: plant geneticists, ecologists, food security policy experts, development specialists. We want people who support GM Food. We want people who oppose it. We want people who lie in between. Please use the form below to suggest who … Continue reading →

The I’m a Scientist Amsterdam event kicks off in 2 weeks time, on June 11th! The scientists are raring to go and students and teachers are now registering on the site and exploring their zones. Students, once you’ve registered using the access code card your teacher gives you, you can read all about the scientists in your zone as they’ve been busy updating their profiles for you. If you’ve got a question for the scientists already you can ask it now, although they won’t get a chance to answer it until June 11th. Teachers, we’ve already had over 30 live chat requests so you can book one for your class now, using the booking form at https://imascientist.org.uk/live-chat. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the slot you want! Scientists, now you’ve filled in your profile you can sit back, relax and wait until June 11th to … Continue reading →

It’s only a matter of days before I’m a Scientist starts in June, so it’s time to announce the scientists and schools taking part. The Amsterdam event will be running from 11th-22nd June, and we’ll update you nearer the time about the Los Angeles event (taking place 25th June – 6th July). Over 50 schools will be taking part and as usual there’s a big variety in schools involved, from Omagh to Orkney, and even Singapore. We’re hoping that, as in previous events, energy levels will be high and classes at these schools will have a great experience. One teacher in March 2012 said “my boys were inspired by the answers – still buzzing now!”. Scientists As ever competition for scientists was tough, and choosing the final scientists to take part was hard. We had to turn down lots of scientists doing fascinating research. Scientists have thoroughly enjoyed previous events. … Continue reading →

Here are the resources for scientists taking part in the ‘Los Angeles’ event from June 25h – July 6th 2012. The scientist briefing notes are designed to help you get the most out of taking part, and to guide you through the site. The key dates sheet gives you an idea of what happens when, and there is also sign to hang on your door if things get busy! Scientist Briefing Notes Key dates sheet – June 2012 LA scientists ‘Do not disturb, intense brain activity!’ sign We believe that information should be free, so this part of the site is accessible to everyone. All scientists are free to use anything we’ve created on the site. This material has been created by Gallomanor (unless otherwise stated) and we have NOT copyrighted it. All material is licensed under a (CC) Creative Commons attribution license.

Here are the resources for scientists taking part in the ‘Amsterdam’ event from June 11th – 22nd 2012. The scientist briefing notes are designed to help you get the most out of taking part, and to guide you through the site. The key dates sheet gives you an idea of what happens when, and there is also sign to hang on your door if things get busy! Scientist Briefing Notes Key dates sheet – June 2012 Amsterdam scientists ‘Do not disturb, intense brain activity!’ sign We believe that information should be free, so this part of the site is accessible to everyone. All scientists are free to use anything we’ve created on the site. This material has been created by Gallomanor (unless otherwise stated) and we have NOT copyrighted it. All material is licensed under a (CC) Creative Commons attribution license.

The two June events are fast approaching. This morning I realised that there are just 19 working days left until the start of I’m a Scientist on June 11th. Let’s blame all these sneaky bank holidays. On the plus side we’re well on the way planning for the events. Teachers We’ve selected teachers to take part in the two events. We’ve let them know how many classes they’ve got in which zones . Both the ‘Amsterdam’ and ‘Los Angeles’ events are full and we’ve got teachers on the waiting list for classes. The artwork for the teacher packs is designed and is being printed. We’ve updated the teacher notes by removing the Information Sheets and Project Analysis lesson plans, as they weren’t used by many teachers. We’ve replaced the debate kit with the new ‘Drugs in Sport’ version, giving teachers a new debate to run with students. Scientists We’ve had … Continue reading →

We’ve now chosen the 15 zones running in our two I’m a Scientist events this June, and we’re looking for scientists and teachers to take part. Teachers, apply here by Monday 30th April: imascientist.org.uk/teacher-registration Scientists, apply here by Tuesday 8th May: imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply We’re running two events in June, ‘Amsterdam’ and ‘Los Angeles’ because, with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and different term dates in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, there’s no fortnight that fits all schools. The zones in each event will be: 11th – 22nd June: ‘Amsterdam’: 4 general zones: Bromine, Krypton, Rubidium & Strontium Animal Behaviour Zone Genes Zone Materials Zone 25th June – 6th July: ‘Los Angeles’ 4 general zones: Yttrium, Zirconium, Niobium & Molybdenum Earth Zone (sponsored by the Institute of Physics) Laser Zone (sponsored by the Institute of Physics) Nanotechnology Zone Organs Zone We’re looking for all types of scientists – industry scientists, academic scientists, UK scientists, scientists working abroad, whoever. We want to be able to show students the breadth … Continue reading →

We would like to congratulate the following students who have been named as the student winners in their zones for the March 2012 event. The moderators thought there were lots of great questions and excellent engagement with the event overall. Zone Student winner School Electromagnetic jabbathepizzahut St Benedicts Energy amthystxgen4 Kingsmead School Gallium ogoldfinch09 Dover Grammar School for Boys Germanium stellastar Chichester High School Quantum 11sofdel Backwell School Selenium jammiedodger Pates Grammar School Space purplebug123 Howell’s School Sports indianchicken Henlow Middle School Well done to all the students above! They will soon be receiving their student winners certificates and WH Smith vouchers. We would also like to thank all the other students who participated. Everyone contributed to the brilliant chats and thought provoking questions which often challenged the scientists. As one scientist said “I hugely enjoyed it. There are clearly some smart kids out there”. And we agree.