Connect school students with science outside the classroom, and help them discover STEM careers in I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here.
It’s all online and text-only (no audio or video). All you need is a web browser.
Chat with students in text-only live Chats
Answer their questions about you, your work, your salary, or any other topic
Support students to see STEM as ‘for them’ and break down stereotypes of what a scientist is ‘supposed’ to be.
You should expect to spend an average of an hour and a half per month engaging with students across the academic year. The activity is flexible and works around your schedule – join in at the times that suit you. You’ll retain control over your availability: block off days when you can’t take part, set the number of chats you can manage per week – we’ll arrange the rest.
It only takes 2 minutes to apply. We’ll be in touch if we have the funding to support your place in the activity
"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
"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
"The best crash course in science communication there is."
Ben Still, 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
Who can apply? All professionals working in fields related to STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) are welcome to apply.
You could be working in industry, academia or the public sector
You could be a technician, an apprentice, or in roles like comms or management
Take part to show students the wide range of STEM-related careers out there.
Learn about up to 40 relevant scientists, through their profiles, including their CVs
Connect with researchers in 30-minute, text-based, online Chats
Deepen their understanding and continue engaging with the scientists by sending follow-up questions
Decide which scientist deserves the £500 winner’s prize
Review their learning through a facilitated discussion
🗨️ What scientists say:
“The questions asked were both fun and challenging, keeping me on my toes at all times and giving me a fresh perspective and enthusiasm for my own research”
“Love, love, loving taking part in @imascientist, so much fun, very engaging”
