Main funder: Wellcome Trust
I’m a Scientist is proud to be part-funded through a Society Award from the Wellcome Trust, the UK’s largest charity. Wellcome are dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. They support the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. Wellcome’s public engagement grants are intended to promote interest, excitement and debate around science and society.
The Wellcome Trust is providing £225,000 over three years to support the event. We need to raise the same again from other funders in order to keep the event going. More information about funding.
Zone funder: Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
The STFC, one of the seven Research Councils, keeps the UK at the forefront of international science. STFC draws on many aspects of science and engineering, working with academia and industry to share its expertise in materials science, space and ground-based astronomy technologies, laser science, microelectronics, wafer scale manufacturing, particle and nuclear physics, alternative energy production, radio communications and radar.
STFC research addresses topics as fundamental as: The birth of the universe to the solar system we live in, Understanding how the heavy elements are formed in the violent explosions of stars, Is it possible to complete the ‘Standard Model’, so far physicists have detected all but one of the particles predicted by this theory, the Higgs particle.
Thanks to a Large Award the STFC are funding 6 zones a year in I’m a Scientist over 3 years, starting in 2013. Zones funded under the Large Award to date:
Crystallography Zone, Extreme Speed Zone, New Materials Zone, Extreme Clean Zone, Particle Physics Zone, Extreme Size Zone, Nuclear Zone, Astronomy Zone, Diamond Zone, Extreme Energy Zone
Zone funder: Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Society of Chemistry is the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a worldwide network of members and an international publishing business, our activities span education, conferences, science policy and the promotion of chemistry to the public.
In the UK, the RSC are the largest non-governmental supporter of UK chemistry education. Their activities encompass formal and informal education from primary through to Higher Education levels and they are committed to providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for those teaching chemistry. They work closely with the government and other organisations on issues which may impact on science education and encourage initiatives to attract students to the chemical sciences from all parts of society and raise awareness of potential careers with chemistry.
To date they have funded: Energy Zone, Colour Zone, Water Zone
Zone funder: Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity actively promoting development in physics through increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of around 40,000 and is a leading communicator of physics-related science to all audiences, from specialists through to government and the general public.
Students can find out more about physics and discover the best online physics resources at physics.org, and search for physics degrees at MyPhysicsCourse.org.
The IOP have funded zones since 2012, including: Space Zones, Quantum Zones, Laser Zone, Earth Zone, Light Zone.
Zone funder: e-Bug
e-Bug is an exciting, fun and free microbiology, hygiene and health educational resource for junior and senior school students. e-Bug is operated by Public Health England and provides educational resources for children across the globe, with translations into many different languages. Topics include an introduction to microbes, hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, food hygiene, vaccinations and antibiotics.
The e-Bug resources comprise of a teacher and student educational pack reinforcing an awareness of essential hygiene and antibiotic issues through detailed interactive lesson plans and an interactive website hosting complementary games, interactive quizzes, disease fact sheets and much more.
e-Bug are funding an Antibiotics Zone in November 2014, tying in with European Antibiotics Awareness Day on November 18th.
Zone funder: The Physiological Society
Physiology is an essential discipline which seeks to understand how the human body works; the study of how cells, organs and muscles interact contributes crucial insight into sports performance. The Physiological Society brings together more than 3,000 scientists from over 60 countries, and since its foundation in 1876, its members have made significant contributions to the knowledge of biological systems and the treatment of disease.
The Physiological Society is committed to engaging with public audiences, and aims to bring physiologists and the public together through outreach and engagement activities which raise the awareness, understanding and appreciation of physiology.
Through its Public Engagement Grants Scheme The Physiological Society has funded the Sports Science Zone, Human Limits Zone and in 2014 the Body Zone, focusing on its Understanding Obesity theme.
Previous zone funders
BBSRC – GM Food Zone, Food Science Zone
British Society for Cell Biology – Cells Zone
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine – Medical Physics Zone
RCUK Digital Economy – Digital Zone
RCUK Energy Programme – Energy Zone
RCUK Lifelong Health & Wellbeing programme – Healthy Ageing Zone
Royal College of Pathologists – Pathology Zone
Science & Technology Facilities Council – Zinc Zone, Subatomic Zone, Electromagnetic Zone
The Genome Analysis Centre – Bioinformatics Zone, Genomics Zone
University of Nottingham – Food Science Zone
Nelson Thornes, Kerboodle
Wellcome Trust, In the Zone – Primary 7-11 Zone, Secondary 11-19 Zone
