Last year we had themed zones in the I’m a Scientist event, for the first time.

They worked well and we plan to do the same next year. Here’s your chance to suggest what themed zones you would like to see.

To start you off, below is a list of the themes from last year, plus some other suggestions.

Please suggest themes in the comments, this week.

Next week we will put up a list of all the suggestions, for you to vote on.

At the bottom there is also a short FAQ about themed zones, to help you decide.

Themed zones used in 2010

• Brain
• Genes
• Are we too clean?
• IVF
• Imaging
• Evolution
• Cancer research
• Sports Science
• Drugs Development
• Use of chemicals in everyday life

New suggestions so far

• Energy generation
• Climate
• Space
• Ecology

Further explanation about zones

How do I decide what themed zone to pick? It’s not a huge deal. The main point of the I’m a Scientist event is that students get an insight into How Science Works/HSW (particularly, how it really works). They are talking to real scientists, getting to see scientists are real people. They get insight into issues like science funding. So don’t get too caught up on the themes – HSW should still be the real focus. But a themed zone gives you the option of doing some more detailed subject work. Pick one that ties in with a topic you are studying, or one you think will capture your students’ interest.

Why do you have zones? To encourage students engaging more deeply with the issues. During I’m a Scientist students have to choose which scientist gets a prize of £500. Students can only choose out of the five scientists in their zone – this is so they have a chance to really get to know those scientists and think in more depth about which they will choose. If we didn’t have zones and students could vote for any of 100 scientists then we believe more would be choosing on who’s got the nicest picture, etc.

Are all zones themed? No. Half the zones will be themed. Half will be ‘general’ – this means a mix of scientists studying all different topics. General zones are named after elements. Have a look at the 2010 zones for an idea of the range of scientists, e.g. in Aluminium Zone we had everything from volcanoes to chicken behaviour.

Should I go for a themed zone or a general zone? Up to you, much of the experience (and the learning) should be the same in both. After the event last year we asked the teachers who’d taken part whether they’d rather be in a themed or a general zone next time and it was almost exactly 50/50. You won’t need to pick until later.