I'm A Scientist Get Me Out Of Here!

'I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here!’ 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 (£500). The scientists with the fewest votes are evicted until only one is left to be crowned the winner in each zone.

The March event is currently taking place with a larger event planned for June. There are scientists from all over the UK taking part, including one or two from Ireland. Eoin Lettice, a lecturer in plant science in UCC (and former guest blogger), is taking questions from students from the UK and Ireland in the Argon Zone as well as taking part in live chats. We wish Eoin the best of luck and hope he brings the cash back to Cork! (BTW, Eoin has a great science blog: Communicate Science) While it is too late to take part now, you can still see the questions being posed to the scientists and see their answers. (Teachers can still register to take part for the June event). There are also a huge range of teaching resources available on their website which can be downloaded for free.

Some of the great questions being asked include: Could you use stem cell research to grow an illuminous glowing brain? (yes apparently); Since stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell, they offer something in the development of medical treatments for a wide range of conditions. What are these conditions? (an excellent question); are Llamas cooler than Zebras and if Betelgeuse were to explode as a type II supernova, would the Earth experience any harmful radiation? Follow the links to see the scientists answers. Its a wonderful project and brings real science into the classroom. Bravo! Visit the 'I'm a Scientist' website for more information.