News

Thank you from your winner Rhod

Wow, that was intense! After what seems like hundreds of questions asked and subsequently answered … I won the energy zone and I couldn’t be happier! The last two weeks were so much fun and I was pleasantly surprised with how much you guys were engaged, how insightful your questions were … and also how much you wanted to know if I preferred One Direction or Justin Bieber. As I said in the live chats … I don’t think I could choose between them. They are equal in my mind. On top of all the scientific questions you asked, of which there were many, the questions which got me thinking the most were those about who and what my work affects. The questions “Who does your work benefit”, “Is your work eco-friendly” came up a lot. I work in biofuels, so hopefully my work should benefit everyone … if indirectly. … Continue reading

Posted on July 8, 2013 by in News | Leave a comment

I’m a Scientist – your winner is… RHOD

Students have spoken. The votes have been counted. Congratulations Rhod, we look forward to hearing how you spend your £500 prize money. Hard luck to Matt 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.

Posted on June 28, 2013 by ModShane in News | Leave a comment

I’m a Scientist – you’ve decided to let Matt Hudson go in Energy Zone

We’ve counted, checked and rechecked the votes and now it’s game over for… MATT H This leaves just “liberal, gamer, foodie” Rhodri and “stubborn, opinionated, unhinged” MATT C to fight it out for the £500 prize tomorrow. What would they both do with the money, you ask? Rhod says “My project and research are quite well funded themselves, so I imagine I’d donate the money to a cause that needs it more.” and Matt C says “I would use it to teach school kids how to make solar cells using pencils, fruit tea and a couple of pieces of glass“. 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 … Continue reading

Posted on June 27, 2013 by ModShane in News | Leave a comment

I’m a Scientist – you’ve now evicted… Chia-Yu in Energy Zone

We’ve counted the votes and now it’s time to evict… CHIA-YU Sorry to see CHIA-YU go after all your hard work. We hope you’ve had fun. In just 24 hours time the final 2 Energy 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 “liberal, gamer, foodie” Rhodri, “fun, adventurous” Matt H or “stubborn, opinionated, unhinged” Matt C? 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

Posted on June 26, 2013 by ModShane in News | Leave a comment

I’m a Scientist – 1st out is… Helen

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… HELEN 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!

Posted on June 25, 2013 by ModShane in News | 2s Comments

DAY 6: Life without physics and storing CO2

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 Energy Zone: Life without physics: laurasam667 : without physics what would the world be like? mattcarnie : without physics we would probably still think the Earth is at he centre of the universe, we would not have electricity….. .life would be very different. And storing carbon dioxide to stop global warming: If you had enough money, could you turn all CO2 into useful materials and stop global warming?

Posted on June 24, 2013 by in News | Leave a comment

DAY 5: Biscuit fuel, ears popping and dressed up dogs

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 Energy Zone: Biscuit fuel: curlybrace : Could you make fuel out of biscuits?If so how? rhodrijenkins : You can make fuel out of anything which has fat and oil in it … so there wouldn’t be a point in making biscuits, we could jsut use the butter/oil they use to make them Ear popping: direction1369 : do you travel all over the world? matthewhudson : Yes, I travel all the time! This week I went ot Ohio in America to meet the airforce and next week I will go to Peru direction1369 : WOW! don’t you ever get you ear pop when u on the plane? matthewhudson : Yes, my ears pop all the time on … Continue reading

Posted on June 21, 2013 by in News | Leave a comment

DAY 4: From solar cells to coffee fuel

At day 4 we’re nearly half way through the event. Hope you’re all chatting, asking and voting! Today’s highlights in the Energy Zone: How to make solar cells: gems : Matt: Is there something special in particular everday objects that can be easily used to make solar cells? mattcarnie : You can make a solar cell from some glass, some dye and some pencils! There are videos on youtube on how to make them from donuts! mattcarnie : Solar cells from donuts: «link»  gems : what special thing is there in donuts that means they can be turned into solar cells? mattcarnie : You can extract a chemical from the sugar called titanium dioxide, this is a semiconductor. Watch the YouTube clip. Its fun! Pollution and species reproduction: weheartzindzi : how will pollution affect species reproduction? rhodrijenkins : That’s a great question. Pollution has been shown to affect fertility. Though … Continue reading

Posted on June 20, 2013 by in News | Leave a comment

DAY 3: Intelligence and energy sources

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 Energy Zone: A great answer from Chia-Yu: Do you have to be smart to be a scientist? And Rhod and Helen start off discussions on sources of energy… Do you think we will come up with an alternative to fossil fuels within the next 10 years or do you think much more work is needed? What is the most useful energy and why?  

Posted on June 19, 2013 by in News | Leave a comment

Day 2: Solar power and F1 on the moon

It’s only day 2 but the questions keep coming! Over 35 live chats and hundreds more great questions. Today’s highlights in the Energy Zone: Formula1 on the moon: If an F1 car was to be driven on the moon, what modifications would be needed? Boiling water using solar power… How much energy is required from the solar cells to heat up your coffee? …and using the sun’s energy to reduce climate change sedwards : Why did you choose to investigate solar energy? mattcarnie : The sun give us more energy in one day than we would use in 27 years. We need to capture some of that energy to reduce CO2 emissions and stop climate change  

Posted on June 18, 2013 by in News | Leave a comment

DAY 1: Fuel, organs and astronaut haircuts

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 Energy Zone: How much fuel is needed to fly a plane? jerryfabode : Hello, we are team rush hour and we are wondering: How many microbial products would be required to fly a plane for 10hours? rhodrijenkins : You guys are asking some great questions! @Jerryfabode – A commerical flight needs different fuel, depending on what sort of plane it is … however I have a friend who’s a commerical pilot and he says they generally take on 10 tons of fuel every time they fill up An interesting question from walrus99: walrus99 : what is your favourite sort of cell and why and if … Continue reading

Posted on June 17, 2013 by in News | Leave a comment