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Well, it’s been a pretty intense couple of weeks! A massive thank you to all who voted for me, there’s been some pretty tough competition! I didn’t really know what to expect before the competition started, but it’s been a real eye-opener. There have been loads of really interesting and thought provoking questions, ranging from cool stuff that happens every day all the way up to some of the really philosophical stuff – well done to all of you who asked them. I’ve learnt so much about a really wide range of things the last couple of weeks and I hope you all have too! I hope we’ve all managed to inspire a few of you to go into science. Science is all about asking questions, so if you are thinking of going into one of the sciences, keep asking them – there are no stupid questions! Keep trying things … Continue reading →

Students have spoken. The votes have been counted. Congratulations Stu, we look forward to hearing how you spend your £500 prize money. Hard luck to Josh and thank you to all the other scientists who took part. You were all brilliant and each and every single one of you has contributed to the great success of this event. We’ve had two weeks of hot debate, stimulating chat and mind-boggling facts. Students, don’t forget to tell us what you think about science now you’ve taken part. Log in and fill in 4 quick questions in the pink box on the right of the browser, to be in with a chance to win a £20 WH Smith voucher.

We’ve counted, checked and rechecked the votes and now it’s game over for… SERENA This leaves just “tall, enthusiastic, GEEK” Stu and “friendly, happy, Aussie!” Josh to fight it out for the £500 prize tomorrow. What would they both do with the money, you ask? Stu says “Work with local school science clubs” and Josh says “I’d like to set up a day where high school students can come and learn about next generation vehicles, like hydrogen and electric vehicles.” The competition is hotting up and the scientists are pulling out all the stops to secure your all important final vote. Only you decide who gets the £500 prize. Not your teacher, not the other scientists. Vote NOW to make sure your favourite scientist walks off with the prize – VOTE HERE If you haven’t made up your mind why not ask the scientists those all important tie breaker questions to … Continue reading →

We’ve counted the votes and now it’s time to evict… SIMONE Sorry to see Simone go after all your hard work. We hope you’ve had fun. In just 24 hours time the final 2 New Materials Zone scientists will be revealed to battle it out in the final. Who gets through to the final for a chance to win £500? YOU decide! Will it be “tall, enthusiastic, GEEK” Stu, “enthusiastic, curious, friendly” Serena or “friendly, happy, Aussie!” Josh? The last 3 scientists have it all to play for and they need your vote. So vote NOW to make sure your favourite scientist makes it through to Friday’s final – VOTE HERE What do you think about science NOW? We hope that taking part in I’m a Scientist has been fun and interesting. But has it changed your view of science and scientists? Please tell us what you think about science … Continue reading →

It’s been a fantastic event so far and the scientists have worked hard, answering hundreds of questions between them. But on Friday there can only be one winner in each zone, so some of them have to go. We are sorry to have to do this to you, but the first scientist to be evicted is… ALEX Thanks so much for all you’ve done. We hope you’ve enjoyed taking part. There will be evictions every day for the rest of the week, with the winner announced on Friday. Keep voting students! Who will walk off with the prize? YOU decide!

Evictions start tomorrow It’s week 2 and tomorrow sees the start of  the evictions, who will be first to go? Get your votes in! Today’s highlights in the New Materials Zone: We learnt about goosebumps: Why do we get goosebumps? And why it’s not possible to run cars on air: Could cars run on air in the future?

The halfway point Week 1 may nearly be over, but we have the evictions to look forward to next week! The power is in the hands of the 5,000+ students. Today’s highlights in the New Materials Zone: Could there ever be tornados in the UK? inkysquidy : will we ever have tornados in uk joshmakepeace : You can think of climate change as changing the boundary between different climate zones up and down the globe – so in the ice age, the polar region extended down to cover the entire of Europe. As the earth warms, we might find tropical climates move further north, so the climate in the UK might get warmer. Tornados in the UK would need wind directions to change though, as they usually occur in eastern ocean coastlines (USA, Australia, Philippines) Lots of great questions in ASK: What are rocks made of? What is it about … Continue reading →

At day 4 we’re nearly half way through the event. Hope you’re all chatting, asking and voting! Today’s highlights in the New Materials Zone: The cause of dizziness… annabell : why do i get dizzy when i spin? joshmakepeace : it’s because when you move your head, there’s fluid that moves around in your ears to tell your brain that it’s moving. When you spin fast, the fliud moves fast too, so fast that when you stop, it keeps going, and your brain still thinks it’s spinning, so you get dizzy! And loads of great questions in ASK: What elements, compounds and chemicals are the artificial leaves made from? Do you think it would be possible to create new elements/future materials with a greater understanding of atoms? If you were to give someone a ring what would be the worst metal to put on their finger and how quickly will … Continue reading →

Day 3 and there’s no let up in the number of chats and questions – 4,400 students registered and nearly 2,500 answered questions, not to mention loads more chats! Today’s highlights in the New Materials Zone: Student theantihiggs questions Stuart’s research: theantihiggs : why do you need to develop all of these new dyes instead of using the one that nearly all plants use every day, chlorophyll. stuartarcher : the problem with chlorphyll is that is only works when it’s inside the leaf surrounded by all the other stuff that;s in there, such as proteins and other molecules, it doesn’t work well on it’s own. Plus, we don’t really understand fully how it works yet – there are people hoping to unlock it’s secrets for the same purpose. Also, the dyes we make are for studying the fundamental processes behind photosynthesis, we want to keep them nice and simple at … Continue reading →

It’s only day 2 but the questions keep coming! Over 35 live chats and hundreds more great questions. Today’s highlights in the New Materials Zone: Some interesting explanations of how microchips and lasers are made: How are computer micro chips made? How do you make a laser? Hydrogen cars: Will we be able to buy hydrogen cars in the future? And which scientist plays archery? When did you start playing archery?  

And so it begins… I’m a Scientist June 2013 has got off to a busy start. Across all zones we’ve had around 30 live chats, a few thousand questions asked outside of the chats, and there are now 3,300 students registered! Today’s highlights in the New Materials Zone: Candles and gravity: Can a candle burn without gravity? And strange materials: What is the weirdest material you have made?