The Red Zone was a general science-themed Zone, which ran from 2 to 27 November 2020.
The activity ran for longer than previous I’m a Scientist Zones (4 weeks instead of 2). It also featured more scientists (over 30 instead of 6). This was to offer greater flexibility to teachers in how, and when, they can take part in I’m a Scientist.
The Red Zone was funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover 2019 programme.
Scientists
- 32 scientists created profiles in the Zone.
- 30 engaged with students through live Chats and/or Ask questions.
- Scientists from a broad range of fields and career stages took part. For example:
- Aisling O’Connor – Research Officer at the VistaMilk SFI research centre
- Ayesha Sharif – PhD student studying nanoparticle conduction at NUI Galway
- Boris Galkin – postdoctoral researcher at the CONNECT telecommunications research centre in Trinity College Dublin
Students
- 1,145 students from 31 schools across Ireland logged into the Zone.
- Turnout was 76% of the 1,500 capacity.
- 55% of active students were from target schools (DEIS and/or U).
- 43% were from target county (U) schools.
- 17% were from Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) schools.
Live Chats and Questions
- 53 live Chats took place took place during the activity.
- 90 live Chats were booked (1.5 times the expected number), but dropout was higher than usual, with 24 cancellations and 13 ‘school no shows’.
- On average, 3 scientists attended each live Chat session.
- 4 teachers typed questions in a live Chat on behalf of their students, so the number of students engaged may be higher by up to 100.
- 654 student questions were approved. Scientists responded with 903 answers
