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.

Overview
The I’m a Scientist activity shows students real-life applications of their classroom studies. Suitable for students aged 8 to 11.
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’.
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.
Details
- School subject
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- Technology/computing
- Curriculum links
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- England primary science curriculum: Animals, including humans
- England primary science curriculum: Living things and their habitats
- England primary science curriculum: Earth and space
- Scotland primary science curriculum: Sciences
- Northern Ireland primary science curriculum: Science and technology
- Wales primary science curriculum : The world around us
- Biology: Structure and function of living organisms
- Biology: Genetics and evolution
- Engineering
- Chemistry: Materials
- Physics
- Physics: Waves
- Physics: Electricity and electromagnetism
- Biology
- Physics: Motion and forces
- Physics: Matter
- Sciences - Planet earth: Biodiversity and interdependence
- Sciences - Biological systems: Inheritance
- Technologies - Craft, design, engineering and graphics: Application of engineering
- Sciences - Materials
- Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves
- Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Vibrations and waves
- Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Electricity
- Sciences - Planet earth
- Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Forces
- Biology: Evolution
- Design thinking and engineering: Engineering
- Chemistry: Use of materials
- Physics: Electricity
- Physics: Forces
- Chemistry: Material properties
- Sciences - Organisms and health: Interdependence of plants and animals
- Sciences - Organisms and health: Cells, genes and reproduction
- Technology & design - Manufacturing
- Sciences - Chemical and material behaviour: Structures, properties, uses of materials
- Sciences - Forces and energy: Sound and light
- Sciences - Forces and energy: Using electricity
- Technology & design - Control: Incorporate control systems in products
- Sciences - Earth and universe
- Sciences - Forces and energy: Forces and energy transfer
- Sciences - Chemical and material behaviour
- Technology & design - Design
- Technology & design - Control
- Group size
- Small groups
Minimum of 5 participants, maximum of 500.
- Participation level
- Audience participation
- Duration
- Up to an hour
- Cost
- Free
Free for state schools, but there may be a charge for fee-paying and international schools.
- Location
- Online
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
Frameworks
EqualEx
- Introduce and Inspire
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:
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Planning - Setting goals and designing routes to achieve them
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Listening - Receiving, retaining and processing information
Enrichment framework
- 5 - An accessible and engagement enrichment offer


