I'm a Scientist, Get me out of here

I’m a Scientist is a student-led, online enrichment activity connecting students with people working in a diverse range of roles in STEM.

Secondary

Ages 11 to 18
Online
1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024
1 to 2 hours
Free

Run by Mangorolla CIC.

Check availability

The I’m a Scientist activity shows students real-life applications of their classroom studies. Suitable for students aged 11 to 18.

Your students take part in a themed activity of your choosing. These are matched closely to your curriculum, more general or to celebrate a special event (e.g. British Science Week).

During the online activity, students:

Learn about up to 30 relevant scientists through their profiles, including their CVs

Connect with a diverse range of scientists in 30-minute, text-based, online Chats

Deepen their understanding and continue engaging with the scientists by sending follow-up questions

Decide which scientist deserves the £500 winner’s prize

Review their learning through a facilitated discussion

I'm a Scientist supports students science capital. The activity introduces students to science professionals with whom they share personal interests and opinions. Students make connections between science and their own lives, helping them see that science, and by extension, a science-related career, could be for ‘someone like me’.

It’s a moderated, flexible activity, that is safe, secure and easy to use.

Logistics

It’s quick and easy to set up, and text-only – no audio or video required.

It’s accessible from the classroom or home, and is super-flexible – you book chats at times that suit you and your classes.

Cost

Free for state schools, but there may be a charge for fee-paying and international schools.

Learning outcomes

Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Learning what the engineering workplace is like
Develop engineering employability skills
Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering

Subjects and topics

- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Engineering
- Maths
- Physics
- Agriculture and food
- Biotechnology
- Chemical engineering
- Electronics, robotics and programming
- Energy and environment
- General engineering
- Materials, products and manufacturing
- Mechanical engineering, systems and processes
- Medicine and healthcare
- Space and aerospace engineering
- Structures, construction and civil engineering
- Transport

Gatsby benchmarks

The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:

Learning from career and labour market information
Addressing the needs of each pupil
Linking curriculum learning to careers
Encounters with employers and employees

Essential skills

The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:

Aiming high - the ability to set clear, tangible goals and devise a robust route to achieving them.
Listening - the ability to listen and understand information.