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Today has been a very busy day! This morning’s Cancer Zone live chat with Fernhill school was pretty ‘EPIC’ with students asking: “do you believe in aliens and if so, do you think that they would have cancers to?” Student redpanda has also be asking “which section of the globe/country has the highest cancer statistics?”   Meanwhile  Cells Zone have been chatting about whether “it would be possible to genetically engineer a “biological battery” using the electrical impulses from nerves etc?” And student mobees11 wants to know why scientist Katie chose to study human egg cells.   Genes Zone students have been finding out how far back in your family you can trace a gene  and what would happen if your DNA suddenly disappeared. There are loads more live chats tomorrow, so students keep your questions coming!

And we have lift off! Chats have started, students are asking questions and scientists are busy giving them answers… Genes Zone is racing ahead, with students asking over 80 questions. They’ve been finding out if guinea pigs like cheese and who the IAS scientists’ favourite scientists are. Scientist Marcus has also been explaining what he does when he comes across a question he can’t answer.   Meanwhile students in the Cells Zone have been getting down to the nitty gritty, asking: “is it possible for cells to mix together?” and “can you get rid of rmsa?” And students in the Cancer Zone have been offering up their ideas for how to cure cancer. Scientist Susanne has also been explaining how the sea snail is helping us understand how our brains remember information. After a chat with Perth Academy scientist Katie said: “that chat was fun – but a bit crazy!” … Continue reading →

The November event  running from 12th – 23rd is just a few weeks away and so it’s time to announce who’s taking part! Schools This event is for teachers who have taken part in previous I’m a Scientist events, and they can choose which zone they want to join. We don’t have a list of all the schools in each zone as teachers are still deciding what zone they want to be in and booking their live chats. Scientists We were oversubscribed with scientists wanting to take part. As there are 3 themed zones lots of scientists weren’t researching the right area but have no fear, there will be space for a broader range of scientists in March 2013. Genes Scientists Louise Walkin University of Manchester Working out exactly how our bodies heal an injury, by using genetics to understand why some people are more prone to particular diseases. Louise … Continue reading →

Last week we asked teachers and students which scientists they’d like to see taking part this November. Scientists were rated solely on the one sentence descriptions they wrote about their work. Based on these ratings we’ve selected the scientists for each zone, and let them know they’re in. We’ll publish the full list of scientists when everyone has confirmed, but for the mean time here’s a taster of the scientists who’ve confirmed already. This time round teachers who’ve taken part before can simply choose which zone they want to be in – Cancer, Cells or Genes. All 3 zones relate to topics being taught in November, but if you haven’t yet decided which zone you’d like to be in this might help. Cancer Zone Pedro Velica is a postdoc from UCL who “tries to convince the cells of the immune system to find and kill cancer cells” and wants to … Continue reading →

Teachers, you’ve spoken! You’ve told us what you’re teaching in November. We’ve listened and selected the zones for 12th-23rd November from these topics. You’ve gone for: Cancer Zone Cells Zone Genes Zone Cancer Zone When we decided to run an event in November our first choice zone was a Cancer Zone. Since 2004 men have been growing moustaches during the month of November, as part of Movember, to raise awareness of men’s cancers. We’ve run popular cancer zones before, so why not run at the same time as a fun and global cancer fundraising effort? Moustaches also caught the attention of scientists who took part back in March 2012. Adam, Leila and Vicky formed #teamtash and even answered questions about moustaches.   Adam, Leila & Vicky of #teamtash Cells Zone When we asked teachers what they’ll be teaching in November, cells came up a lot. Cell division, cell membranes, cell … Continue reading →

In November we’re running I’m a Scientist in Ireland as part of Science Week Ireland, and are looking for Irish teachers and scientists to take part. This weekend Shane made his debut on Irish radio, on NewsTalk‘s science and technology programme Futureproof. He talked to Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin (PhD student in Mathematics Education at Trinity College Dublin and former Rose of Tralee, no less) about I’m a Scientist running in Ireland for the first time this November. You can listen to the interview online at http://media.newstalk.ie/listenbacks/popup by selecting ‘Futureproof’ under Listen Back. We’re just after 18:30 minutes in. If you listened to it what did you think? Are you interested in taking part, either as a teacher or a scientist? If you’ve got any questions just leave a comment here, or on twitter (@imascientist) with the hashtag #IASIE.

This Autumn we’re running I’m a Scientist from 12th – 23rd November. There will be 3 zones. A Cancer Zone (November becomes ‘Movember‘ as men grow excellent moustaches to raise awareness of men’s health, specifically cancers) and two more zones that we want to fit in with the topics you are teaching at the time. We want your suggestions for what zones to run. What will you be teaching your students in November? Let us know here: www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1017914/What-topics-will-you-be-teaching-this-November Next week, once we’ve had your suggestions, we’ll post the results here, and start recruiting scientists working in those areas. This event is just for teachers who’ve taken part before. And we’re doing things a little differently. Teachers will be able to use their existing username and password. Students will register online on a unique page created for each teacher. There won’t be any printed teacher packs. No fiddly access codes. No … Continue reading →

We’ve come to the end of 2 very energised weeks and we want to say a big well done to the student zone winners from I’m a Scientist from 25th June – 6th July. Moderators and scientists have nominated students in each zone who asked great questions, engaged really well in the Live Chats, or left some thought provoking comments. The winner in each zone gets a £20 WH Smiths voucher and a certificate. We’ve also listed a few runners up in each zone who we thought participated really well. Thanks to all the students for asking so many great questions, from the philosophical and thought provoking to the weird and wonderful you really challenged the scientists and stretched their imaginations. And the student winners are: Earth  Winner: boxofstrawbs  – for asking very good questions and live chat contributions Runners up: abichohan and doctorwhomadperson   Laser Winner: jewlz – for asking very interesting and varied questions … Continue reading →