"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
“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
"This is a brilliant opportunity to ask a range of scientists about their careers as well as developing their knowledge of science! ”
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
“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 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
"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
"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
➕ Benefits for your class
Computer Science becomes more relatable
By taking part in I’m a Researcher students can:
- See real-life examples and applications of STEM
- Learn about the transferability of computer science and STEM qualifications
- Connect with real people working in research to discover shared interests and experiences
- See researchers as normal people (not ‘elite geniuses’) with hobbies, pets, and families
Supporting students’ science capital
Science capital is a measure of a person’s personal relationship with computer science. It relates to how much they see the subject as ‘for them’. Read more about science capital ❯
I’m a Researcher supports the science capital teaching approach:
- Students become more aware of the diversity of, nature of, and routes into researching
- We challenge the misconceptions that a job in research is all-consuming and based in a computer lab
- Here’s how I’m a Researcher boosts students’ science capital
Students discover new careers
- Students connect with researchers from a diverse range of backgrounds, disciplines, and industries
- They hear about new STEM careers and opportunities in Higher Education
- I’m a Researcher supports 7 of the 8 Gatsby Careers Benchmarks
Every student is equal
- Text-based live Chats mean that all students have an equal chance of being answered:
- “It helps [to see] students in a different light. Some who are normally very quiet in school became very active in the chat.” – Teacher
- Students gain confidence through asking questions – they see their ideas belong, inspiring them to engage with research, in further study
Accessible to every school
- Schools within 15 minutes’ drive of a university are twice as likely to receive a visit from a university computer scientist than those 30 minutes or more away
- I’m a Researcher is online, so you can access it from anywhere
Read more about how distance matters ❯
Learn more about our commitment to underserved and widening participation schools ❯
🎓 Benefits for teachers
It’s backed by research:
- I’m a Researcher supports the Science Capital Teaching Approach
- Taking part supports students’ science capital
- It’s secure, safe and you’re in control: Only students who’ve been given access by their teacher can login to the Chat
- No personal details are shared on the site, and student content is moderated. Read our safeguarding statement ❯
- You get to see which students have logged in and what questions they’ve asked.
- You can download transcripts of live Chats
Everything’s designed for easy, online access:
- Signing up is quick and easy
- Students can log in at any time to read researchers’ profiles and send follow-up questions in Ask
- Students create their own username using a link you create. This will take them around 10 minutes; send it to them the day before your chat, or earlier
- You book chats for times that suit you and your students
It’s free for state-maintained schools:
- Places are fully funded for state-maintained schools
- That means that most schools don’t have to pay
- Non-state-maintained schools may be asked to pay a fee to take part
Find out more ❯
Teachers: Sign up to take part ❯
Find out more:
Teachers homepage ❯
Student safeguarding and privacy ❯
Questions? Contact support@imascientist.org.uk