If you know all about I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here and want to what’s different about I’m a Scientist, In the Zone then click to visit the What’s the Difference? page.
What is I’m a Scientist, in the Zone?
I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here! is a free online event where students get to meet and interact with real scientists. It’s an X Factor-style competition between the scientists, where your students are the judges. Students submit questions which the scientists will try to answer by the next day. Students then have live Facebook-style chats with the scientists, where they ask questions, learn more about the scientists, and let scientists know their opinions. It take place from April to July 2012 as part of the In the Zone project from the Wellcome Trust, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In the Zone is all about exploring the mind and body in motion, which is quite broad. The scientists could be studying anything from the nutritional needs of marathon runners, to the bioengineering of knee replacements, to the psychology of teamwork.
It’s completely free for UK schools to take part.
Students can:
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ASK questions . . |
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CHAT to scientists online . |
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Then VOTE for the one they think deserves the prize |
How does the event work?
What’s involved?: Your students interact with real scientists online and learn about HSW with targeted resources (and by talking to real scientists!). It engages students who aren’t usually interested in science because it’s real and they get a say over something.
Target audience: Age 7-11 & 11-19
Time involved: The event is very flexible, but we recommend a minimum of two 1 hour lessons spent on I’m a Scientist.
Open to all schools, or other educational settings, in the UK. The event has been successfully used in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: in mainstream schools, sixth form colleges, special schools, pupil referral units and other non-mainstream educational settings. It may sound like we are claiming it’s the magic event that can do everything, but the activity is very flexible because so much of the activity is pupil-led (e.g. they ask the questions they want to). This means different age groups, ability levels, and backgrounds all get something out of it.
How does the event support the curriculum?
I’m a Scientist is designed to help teachers deliver the How Science Works (HSW) curriculum and bring real science to life for your students.
- Develops discussion and critical thinking skills.
- Covers key concepts in HSW.
- Gets students engaged with science.
- Gets students enthusiastic about their science lessons!
- Supported by lesson plans for different ages and ability levels.
As one teacher told us, “They worked really hard during this event, but they didn’t seem to think of it as work.” You can read more about what teachers, students and scientists thought about the event in our evaluation reports. Here is an article written for a school newspaper by a teenager, about the experience of taking part in I’m a Scientist.
What’s next?
Sign up using the form on the right. Make sure you choose the correct age group. We’ll send you an email with more information and the chance to book a live chat session. After that we’ll post you a teacher pack with all the details you need to get the most of I’m a Scientist, In the Zone.
