Teachers Moira and Michele implemented a buddy system for multiple year groups to take part in I’m a Scientist. It had hugely positive outcomes for both older and younger students.
“My colleagues were buzzing. They were watching conversations unfold, and seeing individual students’ interests that they hadn’t seen before. It’s a great way to get to know students in a different light. ” — Jon Hale, Head of Biology at Beaulieu Convent SchoolWhen PHSE plans were scuppered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jon Hale chose to bring I’m a Scientist to an entire school… at the same time. Continue reading
The text-based Chats on I’m an Engineer and I’m a Scientist can work particularly well for students for whom face-to-face communication is inaccessible. This was demonstrated when Daniel, a child with selective mutism, entered Vicky Heslop’s classroom.
In a recent article for Tes magazine, Vicky says that Daniel “would talk through his friends, who would ask questions on his behalf” but was unable to communicate with adults and teachers. Vicky, a teacher at Westbury Junior School in Wiltshire, explains that it was a “huge challenge for me to understand Daniel’s inner world, his interests and passions.” Continue reading
Katie is a PhD student at University College Cork, Teagasc Moorepark and APC Microbiome. She signed up for the IAS Academy online course on public engagement principles offered at the same time as taking part in I’m a Scientist.
Katie believes taking the course ‘really added value’ to her experience: “The IAS Academy was of interest to me as I haven’t had the opportunity for much formal training in outreach and felt that my skills could be improved by doing it alongside the IAS activity.”
“It’s always amazing to think that you might have helped one person to think, ‘Hey, this might actually be for me.’” — Aisling Lee, Technical Architect Through I’m an Engineer, Aisling Lee was able to show school students a different pathway into STEM.
Despite the continuing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer 1,045 students from 28 schools across Ireland took part, with 900 students actively engaged. Students took part in 62 live Chats, writing 14,863 lines, and asked 532 follow-up questions. From their classrooms students across Ireland took part in activities that support their Science Capital: they asked questions about science; they engaged with, and got to know, Irish researchers, engineers, and STEM professionals; they learnt about the transferability of science; and they saw STEM as relevant to their daily lives. This report summarises our 2021 activities. Read the report: I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer Ireland 2021: Summary Report [PDF] Summary: We ran 3 Zones: One I’m an Engineer Zone: Kilogram. Two I’m a Scientist Zone: Magnesium and Sustainability. 1,045 students from 28 schools took part: 86% of students actively engaged through joining live Chats, … Continue reading
In November 2021, we conducted a summative evaluation of our I’m a Scientist activities in Ireland. Read the full report [PDF] ❯ Dr Jen DeWitt, an Associate Senior Research Fellow on the core Science Capital team, has conducted and evaluation of I’m a Scientist to see how the experience might support students’ science capital. The research consisted of student surveys, teacher interviews and analysis of Chat transcripts. Read about why we took this approach. Summary This evaluation found evidence that I’m a Scientist supports science capital among participating students in Ireland. Providing the opportunity to ask about science content, it contributes to science literacy (Dimension 1) Students can ask questions of interest to them personally, which can enhance science-related attitudes and values, helping students to see science as relevant to their everyday lives (Dimension 2) When students ask about qualifications, participation may improve their knowledge of the transferability of science … Continue reading
Despite the challenges of the past year, I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer reached 2,172 students from 58 schools across Ireland. Students asked 2,985 questions and took part in 118 live chats, writing 17,797 lines. From their homes and classrooms students across Ireland took part in activities that support their science capital: they asked questions about science; they engaged with, and got to know Irish researchers, engineers, and STEM professionals; they learnt about the transferability of science; and they saw STEM as relevant to their daily lives. This report summarises our 2020 activities. Read the report: I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer Ireland 2020: Summary Report [PDF] Summary: We ran 5 zones: 3 I’m an Engineer zones: Automation, Environment, Health. 2 general I’m a Scientist zones. 2,172 students from 58 schools took part: 82% of students actively engaged through asking questions, joining live chats, posting comments, and casting … Continue reading
“Fitting the I’m a Scientist activity around my job was fortunately quite a success: I was able to fit the live chats around my shift pattern.” – Jess Leung, Quality Technician at Kerry Ingredients
Jess Leung took part in an I’m a Scientist general zone along with five other scientists from a range of industries and career stages.
“It was a really easy project to engage with for both children and teachers; it only took me about 30 minutes to prepare for all 3 lessons. I was pleasantly surprised with just how excited students were to get responses from serious adults about their work and the adults’ interests.” – Vicky Heslop, Year 6 teacher A junior school that meets our widening participation criteria took part in the Climate Zone of I’m a Scientist for the first time in March 2018 with their three Year 6 classes. The activity broadened student aspirations, improved enquiry skills and challenged their perceptions of scientists.
I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here is an online activity where school students get to meet and interact with scientists.
It’s a competition between scientists, where the students are the judges.
Students challenge the scientists over intense, online Chats. Then they Ask follow up questions to all the Scientists, and Vote for their favourite scientist to win a prize of €500 to communicate their work with the public.