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I'm a Scientist, Get me out of here! (and others)

Year Awarded

2023

Amount

€51,848

  • Organisation:Gallomanor Communications
  • Format:Non-formal Education
  • Location:Online
  • Topic:STEAM

Project Summary

I’m a Scientist (IAS), I’m an Engineer (IAE) and I’m a Mathematician (IAM) are student-led STEM enrichment activities. They connect school students with scientists/engineers/mathematicians through real time, text-based chats. Other elements include follow up questions, profiles and voting that determines which scientist wins €500. The activity is informal and conversational throughout. The elements combine to support students’ science capital. The activities are delivered online.

I’m a Scientist is science engagement that supports Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Being online removes geographic inequalities. Students get the same experience whether they are in Dublin or Donegal. Our activities give all students a chance to engage. Every young person has an equal voice on the site. It is Inclusive in that quiet and shy students take part as vociferously as the students who always ask questions in class.

Students connect with a Diverse range of STEM professionals. By making personal connections they see them as ‘normal’ and see science as personally relevant. They start to see it’s something ‘for them’, encouraging them to consider STEM careers.

Scientists gain improvements to communication skills. They report increased motivation to do more public engagement.

The project is flexible, efficient and has been robustly evaluated with clear evidence for its efficacy. This grant will fund activity for around 3,000 students and 200 STEM professionals across 2024.

Evaluation Findings

Challenges:
Challenge 1: Technical delays in development.
Cause: Grant timing pushed development to January; prioritising the booking system for Engineers Week delayed integration of three projects until May.
Solution: Adjusted sequencing and focused on completing systems step-by-step, with full integration achieved later in the year.

Challenge 2: Difficulty recruiting schools.
Cause: STEPS Engineers Ireland was underfunded and understaffed, plus staff illness; delayed promotion and long gap since last project reduced school engagement.
Solution: Invested extra time and effort to rebuild awareness and trust with schools post-summer.

Challenge 3: Scientist recruitment was slow.
Cause: Delays to “I’m a Scientist” limited outreach; hiatus in funding weakened university links.
Solution: Rebuilt relationships with universities and institutes, gradually regaining momentum by Science Week with activity reaching expected levels.

Findings:
1. Over 13 years, the project has consistently supported students’ science capital and STEM professionals’ public engagement skills.
2. All participating STEM professionals reported increased enthusiasm for public engagement, with 71% noting improved communication skills and 57% gaining a deeper understanding of their work’s societal impact.
3. Every STEM professional would recommend the activity to a colleague, highlighting its value in reaching remote students and improving science communication.
4. Teachers found the activity highly effective in supporting learning, challenging stereotypes, and raising awareness of STEM careers (average effectiveness scores: 4.1-4.2/5).
5. Additional benefits included improved student confidence, engagement across the whole class, and better understanding of STEM pathways-even for those not pursuing science careers.
6. All teachers surveyed would recommend the activity, with nearly all expressing interest in future participation.
7. The project’s impact is grounded in a robust logic model and qualitative research, with established indicators showing how it supports science capital development

Learnings:
1. The I’m a Scientist family of activities continues to deliver a high-quality intervention that amazes participants and supports science capital.
2. It consistently encourages scientists to engage more with the public, reinforcing its value as a trusted and impactful science communication tool.