Teachers: Connect your students with scientists

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

Thanks to funding from Science Foundation Ireland, taking part is free for state-maintained schools. It’s a moderated, flexible activity, that is safe, secure and easy to use. It’s suitable for ages from 10 to 18.

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1. Give context to your teaching

The I’m a Scientist activity shows students real-life applications of their classroom studies.

“I would like to do this year-round, in all science lessons, across the school“

– Laurette, Teacher

2. Give all students an equal voice

The text-based platform supports all students in having a voice, and asking the questions that interest them.

“… scientists in the classroom is good but you don’t have 100% engagement. I’m a Scientist takes that away: everybody’s got questions“

– Amanda, Teacher

3. Bring careers into the curriculum

Students get personalised careers advice from professionals in different workplaces with different career paths.

4. Support 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’.

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The I’m a Scientist activity

During the activity, students:

Learn about 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

Science Foundation Ireland supports I’m an Engineer, Get me out of here.

At Science Foundation Ireland, we believe in the ability of science, technology, engineering & maths to effect positive change in the world and drive a sustainable international economy. SFI promotes and supports the study of, education in, and engagement with STEM and promotes an awareness and understanding of the value of STEM to society and, in particular, to the growth of the economy.

"Students were enthused in different ways. We have a little book area in the corner of the room and it largely goes unnoticed. A student popped by during her free to look through a child psychology book on the shelves. This has definitely had the type of impact I was hoping for."

Teacher, 2021

"Conversation ranged from professional to simple questions , they were answered with sensitivity and engaged pupils as they were able to converse on their level."

Teacher, 2021

“When students are engaged and start to see the real life impact of a subject, they’re more enthusiastic about it – I noticed an increased motivation to learn following I’m a Scientist.”

Emily Tulloch, Science teacher

"The students felt part of the wider community by being able to converse with people who do not know about their disabilities and therefore are not pre judged. All of them want to say how much they really enjoyed being able to engage at their level."

Teacher, 2021

"When you bring scientists into the classroom, it’s good but you don’t have 100% engagement. [I'm a Scientist] takes that away: everybody’s got questions to ask.”

Teacher, 2021

"This is a brilliant opportunity to ask a range of scientists about their careers as well as developing their knowledge of science! ”

Teacher, 2021

“Today’s chat was fantastic. The class were so enthusiastic and full of excitement after the chat finished. I’ve had one child decide that he wants to be a physiologist and another who has decided that a career is science is their way forward.”

Teacher, 2021

"The pupils loved it, have asked to do it again as well. What fascinated them the most was that the scientists were not necessarily the most academic at school but yet still became a scientist and so opens it up to anyone who is invested."

Rachel Causey, Caroline Chisholm School, 2022

“I was able to ask questions that are important to me and my interests.”

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More information

Teacher Guidance

Safeguarding and privacy

Questions? Email us at support@imascientist.ie

1. Give context to your teaching

2. Give all students an equal voice

3. Bring careers into the curriculum

4. Support students’ science capital

The I’m a Scientist activity

During the activity, students:

"Students were enthused in different ways. We have a little book area in the corner of the room and it largely goes unnoticed. A student popped by during her free to look through a child psychology book on the shelves. This has definitely had the type of impact I was hoping for."

"Conversation ranged from professional to simple questions , they were answered with sensitivity and engaged pupils as they were able to converse on their level."

“When students are engaged and start to see the real life impact of a subject, they’re more enthusiastic about it – I noticed an increased motivation to learn following I’m a Scientist.”

"The students felt part of the wider community by being able to converse with people who do not know about their disabilities and therefore are not pre judged. All of them want to say how much they really enjoyed being able to engage at their level."

"When you bring scientists into the classroom, it’s good but you don’t have 100% engagement. [I'm a Scientist] takes that away: everybody’s got questions to ask.”

"This is a brilliant opportunity to ask a range of scientists about their careers as well as developing their knowledge of science! ”

“Today’s chat was fantastic. The class were so enthusiastic and full of excitement after the chat finished. I’ve had one child decide that he wants to be a physiologist and another who has decided that a career is science is their way forward.”

"The pupils loved it, have asked to do it again as well. What fascinated them the most was that the scientists were not necessarily the most academic at school but yet still became a scientist and so opens it up to anyone who is invested."

More information

**The I’m a Scientist activity**