Providing STEM opportunities for distant schools

“As we are a remote rural community we do not have a huge variety of careers on our doorstep but these events help to bring them closer to pupils. More students should be getting these funded opportunities across the UK.” — Emily Tulloch, Science teacher on the island of Unst The most northerly school in the UK is located in one of our most distant areas in the Shetland Isles. Emily tells us how I’m a Scientist allowed her remote students to explore a range of STEM careers and increased motivation to learn science.

Posted on April 21, 2018 by modemily in Case Study, Evaluation, News, Science Capital, Scientists, Teachers, Widening Participation | Comments Off on Providing STEM opportunities for distant schools

I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer – 2017 Report

In 2017 we ran seven zones. Three I’m an Engineer zones in February–March (Energy, Health, and Space), and four I’m a Scientist zones in November (Diagnosis, Energy, Food, and Fluorine).

Our key findings were:

  • We have improved on engagement rates in IAS since previous years.
  • We have been successful in using online engagement to reach students who are normally under-served by the sector.
  • Taking part improves attitudes of scientists and engineers to public engagement.
  • Taking part leaves most students feeling more positive about working in a STEM career.

Continue reading →

Posted on February 14, 2018 by modemily in Evaluation | Comments Off on I’m a Scientist and I’m an Engineer – 2017 Report

‘I’ve been able to look at my research in a new light’ – November 2017 Winners blog posts

After every event we ask the winning scientists to write a short post to be sent to all the students who took part in the zone.

It’s the perfect way for the scientists to reflect on the previous two weeks, thank all the students for voting for them, and talk about how they plan to use their €500 prize money.

Continue reading →

Posted on November 24, 2017 by modemily in News | Comments Off on ‘I’ve been able to look at my research in a new light’ – November 2017 Winners blog posts

What Eileen Diskin did with her prize money…

Eileen was voted the winner of the Hydrogen Zone in 2012. Here she reports back on the science engagement competition she set up using her €500 prize money.

If you’d like the chance to get funding to develop your own outreach ideas, apply for the next I’m a Scientist competition at imascientist.ie/scientist-apply

Continue reading →

Posted on February 22, 2017 by modemily in 2012, Winner Reports | Comments Off on What Eileen Diskin did with her prize money…

Widening Participation

One of the long term goals of our projects is to reach more schools traditionally under-served by STEM outreach activities.

The Aspires project, from King’s College London has shown that science capital is a key factor in terms of students aspiring to science and STEM careers. Science capital refers to knowledge about science and how it works, interest, understanding, and contacts (knowing somebody who works in science). Continue reading →

Posted on December 12, 2016 by modemily in News | Comments Off on Widening Participation

November 2016 Winner Blogs

After every event we ask the winning scientists to write a short blog to be sent to all the students in who took part in the zone. It’s a great way for the scientists to reflect on the previous two weeks and thank all the students for voting for them.

Let’s take a look at what the November Winners had to say…

Continue reading →

Posted on December 8, 2016 by modemily in News | Comments Off on November 2016 Winner Blogs

What can you do?

I want to take part with my class ❯
I want to take part as a scientist ❯
I want to find out about funding I’m a Scientist ❯

What is I’m a Scientist?

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.