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I'm a Scientist, Get me out of here
@imascientist.org.uk
630 followers 1.7K following 180 posts
I'm a Scientist | I'm an Engineer | I'm a Mathematician | I'm a Computer Scientist | I'm a Geographer


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I'm a Scientist, Get me out of here @imascientist.org.uk · May 12
🎓Teachers - sign up to book online Chats for your students to connect with a wide range of scientists: imascientist.org.uk/signup/t/

👤Scientists - apply now to connect with students across the UK and help them see STEM as ‘for them’: imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/
A quote from scientist Emily McDougal saying "It was fantastic to hear what students were interested in. I was really impressed with many of the questions and their enthusiasm for my research gave me a real boost of inspiration!"
imascientist.org.uk
Last week over 250 students connected with 44 different scientists for Green Careers Week.

Each Chat highlighted that students are curious to know the impact of the work that scientists are doing. The image below shows that range.

Read more: imascientist.org.uk/2025/11/gree...
Answers to what impact does your work have. Including conservation, forestry, keeping building warm in winter and cool in summer and creating solar panels.
November 13, 2025 at 10:52 AM
imascientist.org.uk
We generally find that students are more engaged when STEM professionals take part in 2-way conversations.

Ieva does a great job of creating an authentic interaction by asking a question back to the student.

Something to try next time you take part in a I'm a... Chat?
Student wants to know what black holes are and if it is possible to live on Mars. Ieva explains that black holes are very compact regions in space, where light can't escape and they are what remains after a massive star explores. She asks whether the student thinks humans could live on Mars. The student says you you follow your dreams and work hard then you can. Ieva agrees, science is a team effort so a lot of people would need to work on it to speed up the process.
November 13, 2025 at 9:15 AM
imascientist.org.uk
To celebrate Chemistry Week (10 -16 Nov) we are highlighting one of our chemists Martina!

She’s a researcher using chemistry to study past environments, and one of the scientists taking part in I’m a Scientist

Join her and inspire the next generation: imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/
A graphic with a picture of Martina Conti (portrait of a female scientist with brown hair, smiling, books in the background). Text reads 'Spotlight of Martina Conti. Rock-loving chemist showing students how chemistry helps us understand climate change.'
November 12, 2025 at 11:51 AM
imascientist.org.uk
If you could time travel, and see any extinct animal, what would it be?

Through the I'm a... programme, students ask the questions that interest them.

Let us know which animal you would see!
Joanna says a Bramble Cay Melomys - a little rodent that recently went extinct. Caroline says a trilobite or a giant sloth
November 10, 2025 at 12:45 PM
imascientist.org.uk
This National Engineering Day, we’re shining a spotlight on diagnostics engineer, Emily!

Emily designs and creates new diagnostic tools that can measure tiny particles. Her experimental work helps physicists to answer big questions about how particles and matter behave.
Emily Shackleton is a particle accelerator builder
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
imascientist.org.uk
14th century book dust 😮😮

Students in West Sussex were keen to know what Luke named the never seen before, insect like creature he found in some very old book dust!

Teachers, let your students ask the questions that interest them too: imascientist.org.uk/signup/t
Students want to know what the coolest thing Luke has ever seen under a microscope is. He says some 14th century book dust. He found a new insect like creature. The students want to know whether it was alive and if Luke got to name it. He said more work needed doing before he would be able to name it.
November 5, 2025 at 11:15 AM
imascientist.org.uk
We are all used to seeing AI images on social media now right?

Students in Didcot wanted to know why AI still can't get hands right in those images.

Computer scientists, find out more about taking part: imacomputerscientist.uk/signup/t
Sophie asked why AI can't get hands right in images. Aurelia says it is because it is hard for AI to decode because the method needed to decrypt the pixels. AI is better at understanding simple tasks with clear instructions. Annabel wants to know if it concerns Aurelia that image generators are getting more realistic and harder to tell apart reality from AI. Aurelia says it is a big concern. The main worry is impersonation of people to do cyber attacks.
November 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM
imascientist.org.uk
How do you know what particles were in the big bang?

This student from Newbattle High School wanted to know more about recreating the big bang. Sinead answered in an engaging way which meant the conversation kept going!

Find out more: imascientist.org.uk/signup
A student wants to know how Sinead knows what particles were in the big bang. Sinead says that she relies on maths to tell us, and the LHC to replicate conditions close to this point. The student wonders if it is dangerous. Sinead says no, they take safety precautions. The energy is not a big amount when you compare it to a plane or rocket. Student clarifies so you can get close to recreating the big bang with less energy than a rocket. Sinead says yes.
October 30, 2025 at 9:30 AM
imascientist.org.uk
📢Let’s hear it for our term winner! Students have given the most votes in I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here to
🎉Emily Walls!🎉

Emily has been inspiring students since joining in July with her study of stars most recently in our space week Chats. Congratulations Emily!
A picture of our term winner Emily Walls with the I'm a Scientist logo.
October 28, 2025 at 3:34 PM
imascientist.org.uk
Nice to find out why our ears were burning recently.

Who are the co-conspirators?
johncorrigall.bsky.social John Clark-Corrigall @johncorrigall.bsky.social · 17d
Finally we had the drinks reception to close, finding several of us participated in @imascientist.org.uk and hopefully see one another at @microbiologysociety.org / @amiposts.bsky.social conferences in the future.
October 28, 2025 at 2:51 PM
imascientist.org.uk
The I'm a... programme supports students to take part in personalised, authentic conversations with people in diverse roles.

Teachers, give your students the opportunity to explore a diverse range of roles: imascientist.org.uk/signup/t
Lexie wants to know what problem John solves. John says he is working to make AI more energy efficient. Sophie says it's wholesome. Sammie wants to know what John studied. John says chemistry in Brighton then in Sweden. Yukta wants to know whether Sweden is a good place to study. John says that there are a lot of start ups from Sweden.
October 28, 2025 at 1:02 PM
imascientist.org.uk
🎉 I’m a Geographer is now open for bookings!

I’m a Geographer, in partnership with @rgsibg.bsky.social will show students how geography is used by a diverse range of professionals in their jobs.

Geographers, apply to take part: imageographer.uk/signup/c/
Graphic with the 'I'm a Geographer logo in the top right corner and a calendar icon in the bottom left corner. Text in the middle of the graphic reads ' Help school students see geography in real jobs at times that suit your schedule'
October 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
imascientist.org.uk
Sadly, the wonderful @airtable.com is a bit off-colour this morning. Our sign-up forms are not functioning.

If you do want to join in with our efficient and effective programme then please try again this afternoon.
October 20, 2025 at 8:35 AM
imascientist.org.uk
I’m a Geographer connects students from across the UK with people using geography in their work, from ecologists to town planners. The activity is online and flexible, so it easily fits into your schedule.

Apply now: imageographer.uk/signup/c/
A quote from one of the participants, Luke. He said '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.' The is a 'I'm a Geographer, Get me out of here' logo in the bottom left corner.
October 16, 2025 at 10:51 AM
imascientist.org.uk
It's Biology Week!

Biology Chats run in I'm a Scientist all year round. Students ask the questions that interest them and get real-time responses.

This moment between a student and Hannah demonstrates that authentic interaction.

Teachers, find out more: imascientist.org.uk/signup/t/
A screenshot of a conversation between users edge520vasa and Hannah about fungi. Edge520vasa asks if fungus is essential for ecosystems and what makes Hannah’s research fungus different. Hannah explains that many soil fungi help plants access nutrients and that orchids rely on specific fungi, but her fungus is a wheat pathogen that causes farmers financial losses and less wheat (and therefore less cake and pizza). Edge520vasa then asks if animals live on fungi or if it infects anything like bacteria, and what effect it has on wheat. Hannah replies that some ants cultivate fungi for food and that some fungi can even control ants’ behavior. Edge520vasa asks what happens if humans eat the fungus—if it would make them mildly ill or worse. Hannah explains that the fungus she studies reduces photosynthesis efficiency in plants, leading to parts dying, less grain in wheat heads, and less bread overall.
October 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
imascientist.org.uk
This moment between a student from St Peter's School and Gemma shows that it's ok to take a moment to feel a certain way towards failure. Then work out what to do next with the right mindset.

Find out more: imascientist.org.uk/signup/
Derm wants to know what is the worst thing about Gemma's job. She says when things go wrong. Derm asks how you deal with it when things go wrong. Gemma says by letting herself be upset for a minute. Then trying to think about why it went wrong and whether she needs to restart of try something different. But to not be too hard on herself. Science doesn't always go the way you exect.
October 13, 2025 at 9:15 AM
imascientist.org.uk
Students questions encourage scientists to think about their answers, often in a way they haven't considered before.

This is a lovely question which asked Abi to think about why she went into her current role.

Scientists, find out more: imascientist.org.uk/signup/c/
Nods asks Abi why she decided on her current job. Abi says she thought about what her values were and what is important to her. She loves science, problem solving and helping people. Originally she wanted to do medicine but she thinks the stress would have been bad for her. She enjoyed chemistry at uni so she is still there now!
October 10, 2025 at 1:20 PM
imascientist.org.uk
Unlock STEM career awareness - without leaving the classroom!

The Summer 2025 term feedback survey reported that 87% of teachers found the I'm a... activity to be extremely or very effective in raising students awareness of STEM careers.

imascientist.org.uk/book-activity
Student asks about researching physical diseases and how you run simulations on a computer. Chloe replies that she works with the data that people who do lab work generate. She uses command line tools, R and python.
October 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM
imascientist.org.uk
Show students where geography can take them!

I’m a Geographer, supported by @rgsibg.bsky.social, highlights how geography is used in real jobs.

If you use geography in your work and have a post-16 geography qualification, apply here 👉 imageographer.uk/signup/c/
A graphic encouraging geographers to take part in 'I'm a Geographer, Get me out of here'. It reads 'Take part in easy and flexible online outreach to inspire the next generation.' with a link to sign up: imageographer.uk/signup/c. There is also a picture of a student taking part.
October 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
imascientist.org.uk
This year 5 student didn't expect Dr Luke's answer when they asked what astronauts ate! Conversations in I'm a Scientist are authentic. Students ask the questions and scientists reply at the level they are asked. That's why it's suitable from Year 5 to Year 13.

imascientist.org.uk/signup
A screenshot of a chat between users knew520bren and DrLukeF. Knew520bren asks what plants astronauts eat. DrLukeF replies that astronauts have grown and eaten various plants including lettuce, radishes, and chili peppers, which they used to make space tacos. Knew520bren responds excitedly, saying “space tacos, SOUNDS YUMMY!!!” DrLukeF agrees, saying the astronauts loved them and suggests googling space tacos to see pictures the astronauts took.
October 6, 2025 at 10:15 AM
imascientist.org.uk
Last week was #MathsWeekScot

Both primary and secondary students used I'm a Mathematician to connect with people using maths in their role. Take a look at one of our favourite interactions across the week. This student had explored Sam's profile beforehand and had more questions about his work.
A screenshot of a chat conversation between users jobs534deme9 and SamG. Jobs534deme9 says they are inspired by SamG’s work and asks for more details. SamG explains that their role is split between fixing faults (in hardware, software, or networking) and project work, such as investigating new technology or writing scripts to install software on 16,000 machines. Jobs534deme9 replies that it sounds interesting and asks if SamG enjoys it. SamG responds that they do, as every day is different, they work with a great team, and they enjoy the challenge, joking that they get paid to look at puzzles.
October 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
imascientist.org.uk
Chemistry Week is coming up!

To celebrate, schools can book a Chemistry Week themed Chat. They'll connect their students with a diverse range of chemists. In 30-minute, text-based interactions, students can take part in authentic conversations. They lead the conversation.
@rsc.org
A screenshot of a conversation between two users, area520seep and David B, discussing the use of hemp in food. Area520seep asks about the types of food David works with. David B explains they are doing nutritional studies using hemp, which could have health benefits and reduce environmental impact. When asked which part of hemp is used, David says they use hemp flour and hemp oil, and highlights hemp’s sustainability as the entire plant can be used. Area520seep then asks about the process. David replies that they make hemp bread, replacing 25–50% of normal flour with hemp flour, which reduces carbon footprint and may benefit health as well as the environment.
October 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
imascientist.org.uk
A correlation between AI and Bountys?

Lee took part in a lovely interaction with Chris from St Gabriel's. He explained how he used chocolates to teach about reinforcement learning.

Anyone surprised the bounty's weren't popular?!
Chriss wants to know the topic of Lee's last lecture. Lee says how he used chocolates to teach about reinforcement learning. The student wants to know how effective they were. Lee says very but no one wanted the bountys. Chriss says fair.
September 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
imascientist.org.uk
A link between the moon and crime?!

Mod Laura enjoyed this Chat moment between a student from Puddletown and Lisa H. Lisa's response prompted the student to ask a follow-up question, deepening their engagement.

Get involved this Autumn: imascientist.org.uk/signup/
A screenshot of a conversation between users nada519joys and Lisa H. Nada519joys asks Lisa H about the most interesting thing she has found while analysing data. Lisa H responds that there’s a correlation between crime rates rising and a full moon. Nada519joys replies that it’s very interesting and asks how Lisa H became a data scientist. Lisa H explains that she spent a lot of time working as an analyst and trained to do more advanced tasks, with her job evolving alongside technology.
September 23, 2025 at 12:37 PM
imascientist.org.uk
It's #MathsWeekScot

Chats have started with Arbroath High School!

Teachers, there's still time to take part this week: imamathematician.uk/book-activity
Image of the I'm a Mathematician Chat platform.
September 22, 2025 at 9:22 AM