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I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer will be running this November to show school students across the UK and Ireland a slice of real science and engineering. For two weeks between Monday 7th and Friday 18th November students all over the UK and Ireland will be able to ask questions to, and take part in live text-based chats with real scientists and engineers in the online events. Students then vote for their favourite to win £€500 to spend on further STEM engagement. The online nature of the event helps to give all students a voice, and encourages students to ask the questions they might not be confident asking in front of the whole class. Students see that scientists and engineers are normal people, while being introduced the wide range of possibilities in STEM careers; it’s not all hard hats and white coats. All the details of the different themed … Continue reading →

The questions are flooding in from students in this March’s round of I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here! Questions on everything from adapting to new discoveries, the scientists’ favourite research, and the difference between scientific laws and theories. Just had a great live chat for @imascientist – so many good questions and some budding scientists in there too. I’m buzzing #IASUK — Helena Quilter, chemist I spoke to a living scientist YAY – Student, Medical Physics Zone If this sounds up your street, well, we have some great news… The next I’m a Scientist event will run from the 13th to the 24th June 2016, and applications are open now! Scientists apply by Sunday 1st May at: imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply Teachers register by Sunday 1st May at: imascientist.org.uk/teachers — After registering, teachers will receive an email asking which zone they would like to take part in. Respond to this email to complete registration for the June activity. … Continue reading →

The students asked scientists all sorts in this November’s I’m a Scientist, ranging from mayflies short life-span to dark matter. There was even a debate about what could happen if artificial intelligence ruled the world. And we also got some great feedback: ‘I think you have inspired me to become a scientist” – student, November 2015 ‘There is no better way to test how much you know about something than trying to expalin it to someone with a more limited background on the topic.’ – Jesús Calvo Castro, Spectroscopy Zone scientist If this sounds up your street, you’ll be pleased to hear there is another chance to take part in during British Science Week: The next I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here event will run from the 7th to the 18th March 2016! Teachers register by Sunday 24th January at: imascientist.org.uk/teachers Scientists apply by Sunday 24th January at: imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply Teachers will get an email in January asking them to choose their classes’ zones. Confirmed Zones! The  zones are a … Continue reading →

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here will run for two weeks from Monday 9th to Friday 20th  November 2015. Here is a list of the zones confirmed until now, or if you want to jump straight to the application, teachers apply here:  imascientist.org.uk/teachers and scientists here: imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply. Ageing Zone As the human body ages, it changes. This zone will include scientists who look at the effect of time on every bit of us as we all make our way through life. In this zone scientists could be researching the ageing brain, how our complicated joints deteriorate, or even what is happening to our DNA as it replicates itself billions of times over our lifespans. This zone is funded by The Physiological Society, to be eligible to take part in this zone, scientists should be a member of The Physiological Society. Spectroscopy Zone Shine a beam of light on a sample and watch how … Continue reading →

Cutting straight to the point — because you’re not here for clever calendar puns — here is a list of all the events we have coming up in the UK and Ireland in 2015 and 2016. Happy planning! I’m a Scientist (UK): 9th–20th November, 7th–18th March, 13th–24th June I’m a Scientist (Ireland): 9th–20th November I’m an Engineer (UK): 9th–20th November, 7th–18th March, 13th–24th June I’m an Engineer (Ireland): 9th–20th November, 1st–12th February I’m an Astronaut (UK): 5th–16th October, 7th–18th December, 7th–18th March, 13th–24th June — Due to the popularity of this event, places are severely limited. We may not be able to give every school a place. I’m an Astronaut CHRISTMAS LECTURES Zone: Throughout January …keep reading for full details, where to register, and a — super-duper handy — chronologically ordered list. I’m an Events Calendar: 2015/16 October 2015 REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED I’m an Astronaut: Round 1 Round 1 of the I’m an … Continue reading →

After every event we ask the scientists and moderators to select the students who stood out for them; the students they thought asked the best questions, or engaged most in the live chats. Well done to all of the student winners, and everyone who took part. There were so many interesting questions, and comments, but there could only be one winner in each zone. So, for fantastic engagement during the event, for posting brilliant questions and comments, the student winners below will each receive a certificate and a gift voucher. Colour Zone Winner: Freddie, Stanborough School Electromagnetic Zone Winner: Jason, Bluecoat Academy Extreme Force Zone Winner: Harry, Earlscliffe College Health Zone Winner: William, Mount Kelly Hormones Zone Winner: Alexander, Westcliff High For Boys Pharmacology Zone Winner: Radhika, Derby Moor Community Sports College Polymers Zone Winner: Ibtihaj, Rainham Mark Grammar School Thulium Zone Winner: Harry, King Offa Primary Academy Ytterbium Zone Winner: Jasmin, Kesteven And Sleaford High School Lutetium Zone Winner: Niamh, Chulmleigh Community College Hafnium Zone Winner: Nadia, St Gregory’s After taking part … Continue reading →

Some live chats were interrupted this afternoon (18th June). A DDoS attack involved slowing down connections at our hosting company. Please note that no security was breached. The hosting company are working on resolving the issue, and the site is running again. Loading times on the site may be slow until the issue is fully resolved. We are contacting the schools of all chats effected, so they may re-book.

We’re nearing the end of the March round of I’m a Scientist and the office is a-buzz with questions and live chats, furiously clattering keyboards, and the vague worry that we may have used up the internet’s supply of eviction gifs… So we thought, what better time to announce the June events? The next I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here event will run from the 15th to 26th June 2015!! Apply now to take part! We’re still working on the list of zones, and it will be announced in early April. There will be both themed and general science zones, so there will be something for everyone. Teachers and scientists can apply now to take part at the links below. Teachers will get an email in early April asking them to choose their classes’ zones. Teachers apply by Sunday 26th April at: imascientist.org.uk/teachers Scientists apply by Sunday 3rd May at: imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply More … Continue reading →

I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here is back this March with 70 scientists, and 150 schools from Gairloch to Torquay, and one school from Spain. The scientists will be competing for the school students’ votes in two weeks of fast-paced live chats and questions on everything from genes, to atoms, to space, to pizza. For the latest news and announcements, find us on Twitter, @imascientist, and follow the hashtag, #IASUK. Let’s meet the scientists and schools taking part… Evolution Zone This zone is organised on behalf of the University of Reading. The Scientists Adam Milligam | Postdoctoral at Queen’s University Belfast I play with dogs to see if they are left or right handed and to see if left-handed dogs are less happy than right-handed dogs. Emily Seward | PhD Student at University of Oxford Parasites often face challenging or hostile environments within their hosts; I examine how plant parasites evolve to survive in new hosts … Continue reading →

After every event we ask the scientists and moderators to select the students who stood out for them; the students they thought asked the best questions, or engaged most in the live chats. Well done to all of the student winners, and everyone who took part. There were so many interesting questions, and comments, but there could only be one winner in each zone. So, for fantastic engagement during the event, for posting brilliant questions and comments, the student winners below will each receive a certificate and a gift voucher. Antibiotics Zone Winner: jilsejoshy, Westcliff High School for Boys Big Data Zone Winner: Tiffany5567, Redland Green School Body Zone Winner: Adiboo, Bethany School Careers in Chemistry Zone Winner: Flori, Kingsmead Drug Synthesis Zone Winner: ExplosiveBiskit, Wyvern College Extreme Temperature Zone Winner: science4life, Buxton School Space Zone Winner: Matthew S, Okehampton College Spectroscopy Zone Winner: Joe, Carterton Community College Europium Zone Winner: … Continue reading →