Ha, this’ll make you laugh.
Having spent my last blogpost in wistful reflection on the endless judgements that I find myself subjected to as a working scientist, I have just signed up–quite voluntarily, of my own free will and with my eyes wide open–for a whole lot more.
However, this time it should be fun. Though I confess to being a little bit terrified.
I am going to take part in the upcoming round of I’m a scientist, get me out of here!
I’m a Scientist is a science dialogue event where school students talk to real scientists online for two weeks. It’s in the form of an X Factor style competition between scientists, who compete for a prize of £500.
For two weeks students read about the scientists’ work, ask them questions, and engage in live text chats with them. The students vote for the scientist they want to get the money. The scientists with the fewest votes are evicted until only one is left to be crowned the winner.
Strangely enough, one of my original motivations for getting into blogging was to be able to reach a wider audience, which I always hoped would include children. Although NN has yet to start a portal for school-kids (or did I miss the memo?), in a very, very roundabout way my activities here—and on Twitter–were instrumental in bringing me to this scary situation.
There is a competitive element to all this and I am in possession of a Y chromosome, but I’m not really excited by the prospect of combat. At least, that’s what I’m tellng myself for now. In this round (which starts on June 14th) there is an impressive total of 100 scientists taking part – split into twenty groups of five. The members of each group–I am in Imaging–will be competing with each other for the dosh (to be spent on a science communication activity). I have already ‘met’ two of the team-members through Twitter (@tom_hartley and @lisamarieke) and they both seem really nice–I’m sure we’ll all get along famously. What is more thrilling is the chance to interact directly with the students.
However, I guess no-one will want to be the first to be sent packing, so who knows what will happen?
I judge that it’ll be interesting.
What a fantastic idea! Is there any way for the general public to follow the chats, or will they all just be between the scientists and students?
Also: do you happen to know if the Louise Johnson listed as one of the scientists is @LouiseJJohnson?
Good luck! And be prepared for _anything_. Last year, my boss did a live webchat about breast cancer research, arranged by our local paper, and the final question was “Dear Doctor: are you single?”. We were all following along on our own computers, but heard the howls of laughter coming from his office before we saw the actual question go live on the website! 🙂
Good question – I’m not sure what outsiders can see, though a quick perusal of the website suggests that the questions and answers — from last time — are on display. I’m guessing our interrogation will be laid out for all to see, hopefully in real time. The organisers are sending out an info pack, so I should know more before too long.
And yes, it looks like you have guessed right about @LouiseJJohnson (you know her?)- there is a list of participants who are on twitter here.
And thanks for the warning…! I’m hoping that having teenage kids myself will give me some sort of a heads up. Probably a false assumption though.
Hi Stephen,
It’s been great meeting you and the other “I’m a scientists!” Have got everything crossed that I won’t be voted out first! I think it’s going to be great and I totally agree with the above post that we should be prepared for anything!
@lisamarieke
Hi Stephen,
It’s been great meeting you and the other “I’m a scientists!” Have got everything crossed that I won’t be voted out first! I think it’s going to be great and I totally agree with the above post that we should be prepared for anything!
@lisamarieke
Hi Stephen,
It’s been great meeting you and the other “I’m a scientists!” Have got everything crossed that I won’t be voted out first! I think it’s going to be great and I totally agree with the above post that we should be prepared for anything!
@lisamarieke
Hi Stephen,
It’s been great meeting you and the other “I’m a scientists!” Have got everything crossed that I won’t be voted out first! I think it’s going to be great and I totally agree with the above post that we should be prepared for anything!
@lisamarieke
Hi Stephen
I’m another imagerist looking forward to the upcoming event. It looks like we are a busy little group!
yours
steve roser
Sounds exciting Stephen.
Best of luck that you are not the first to be voted off the island/weakest link/or whatever lingo they use for reality games now!
Good for you, Stephen! I think these events are a brilliant idea. As for NN reaching out to schoolkids, if you’ve got any specific ideas (and remember, we have a Q&A section of our own now too) do get in touch.
Good luck–sounds like it will be fun!
Hi, I run the I’m a Scientist event. I’m glad Stephen’s so excited about taking part – rather than ruing the day he let himself be talked into it:-)
To answer some of the questions above. Yes, anyone can watch the live chats when they are on, and can view the questions and answers on the site at any time. But only registered students can participate.
Yes, it’s twitter’s Louise Johnson.
And yes, teenage hormones run high and students can *ask all* sorts of questions. They frequently ask my moderators if they are ‘fit’. And I once had a youth group from London ask me if I was a fan of something I definitely can’t repeat here.
Welcome to NN to Marieke, Stephen and Sophia (I’m assuming it’s your first time). I’m sure Imascientist will be great fun – and that we’ll all still be talking to one another by the end… won’t we?
Thanks for the clarification on access Sophia – good to know we’ll be so exposed!
And thanks to Lou and Ken for your good luck wishes. Lou – I haven’t got any specific ideas beyond the notion that a portal targeted directly to schools might be a good way to foster additional scientist-student contacts. I suspect most school-kids would be a bit intimidated by NN.
How fun! I hope you will enjoy it!
I’m happy to read that the public [i.e. me] can see the Q&A but not participate and it will be interesting to see how they choose which one to give money to, as in – which criteria they say no and vote someone out 😉 not to mention what kind of questions they ask…
Sounds cool Stephen – the questions on the website from last time definitely seem to cover some ground.. 🙂
Do you have any idea what you would spend the prize money on?
Thanks Åsa and Steffi!
Of course, I trust everyone on NN can help me come up with answers to the questions that leave me flummoxed – hint, hint.
Steffi – I’ve not thought that far ahead though perhaps I should since one of the kids is likely to pose it.
This sounds awesome! You should pull out that video again, with the magic floating structure thing.
“But only registered students can participate.”
Damnit. I was concocting all kinds of mischievous interventions until I read that line.
Good luck, Stephen. I’d put my money on you winning.
My sincere apologies to Elizabeth for not acknowledging her comment and good wishes – oops and thanks!
I hope my videos might win a few brownie points with the kids, Eva – though maybe the 6 minute one is too long…!?
Matt – I suspect I’ll have enough devilment to contend with without you adding mischievously to the mix! But thanks all the same for your mis-placed confidence.
hey, stephen! this looks so fun! i published a little piece and linked to this blog entry on my blog, as well as embedding a couple videos about the program for scientists, teachers, and students who might wish to participate — or to start something similar in their own country (like, you know, in the USA .. hint, hint .. to the Americans who drop in here). i hope my mention helps provide more exposure and interest!
Thanks so much Grrl. By all means spread the idea across the pond. I don’t think there’s anything proprietorial about the set-up. Here it is being funded by a grant from the Wellcome Trust but I imagine that research charities in the US might also be taken with the project.
And thanks for also blogging about my latest video…!