News

Our latest science Debate Kit, funded by the Royal Institution and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, asks the question: Should mobile phones be always listening? Students explore the privacy implications and benefits of our phone microphones “listening in”. 8 characters with different viewpoints encourage a balanced discussion about this technology.

The kit provides all you need to get your students discussing the associated personal, social and economic issues and to help them appreciate the power and limitations of science. The structure shows students how to build a discussion and back up their opinions with facts.

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I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here is back! Between the 5th and 16th March, students from nearly 100 schools will be putting their questions to scientists across 8 different zones; from Climate and Space Data, to Genes and Immune System.

For the latest news and announcements about the event, find us on Twitter, @imascientist, and follow the hashtag, #IASUK.

Let’s meet the scientists and schools taking part…

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I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here is back! Between the 6th and 17th November, students from nearly 100 schools will be putting their questions to 38 scientists across 7 different zones. For the latest news and announcements about the event, find us on Twitter, @imascientist, and follow the hashtag, #IASUK. Let’s meet the scientists and schools taking part… Cells Zone Supported by Wellcome The Scientists Tom Speight | PhD Student, The University of Edinburgh I use a camera on the end of a fibre to look deep inside our lungs and track how good our own cells are eating dangerous bugs we can breathe, and stop us from getting sick. Paul McKeegan | Postdoctoral researcher, the University of Leeds I am interested in finding out how the diet of the egg cell and early embryo affects health and disease from the first week as a tiny embryo to adult life. Natasha Myhill | PhD Student, … Continue reading →

We’re about to launch our new site design. We’re going to make it live for the June event, and you will get to see it in situ. So next time you log in things might look a bit different. For the past few months we have been working in the background to develop a new look for our site to make it a bit more modern, a lot better on mobile devices and and much easier for us to update. We’re still testing before going live on a site with an event so if you spot anything that looks rubbish or even worse doesn’t work, please email and let us know there’s a problem. Send an email to emily@mangorol.la with a URL, screenshot and what you think isn’t right. It would be much appreciated.

It’s important for the medical profession to represent the communities they work in. In the UK at the moment that’s not always the case; indeed around 80% of students studying medicine come from only 20% of UK schools and colleges, and roughly half of UK schools and colleges have no applicants to medicine at all. Nationally, there is also growing concern about the shortage of qualified doctors choosing to train in general practice, with some models calling for a 50% increase in the general practice workforce by 2020. I’m a Medic, Get me out of here will give school students across the East Midlands the opportunity to meet and interact with healthcare professionals in general practice. Through reading profiles, questioning, and taking part in live chats, school students will see the range of roles within general practice, and the people that work in them. They will improve their aspirations and … Continue reading →

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 →