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I’m an Engineer: Get me out of here! is back for two weeks from the 10th March 2014. Space Zone This March, I’m an Engineer: Get me out of here! is back with the Space Zone. We’ll be looking at rockets, robots, probes, and satellites. How does a toilet flush in space? How do you control a robot on another planet? What’s the fastest rocket engine ever built? More information can be found here: imanengineer.org.uk/information-for-stfc-engineers.   Apply now to take part! Engineers apply here: imanengineer.org.uk/engineer-apply The application deadline is Friday 15th February. Teachers apply here: imanengineer.org.uk/teachers Thanks to the STFC for funding the Space Zone and the I’m an Engineer event. For the latest updates on the event, follow @imascientist on Twitter. Our hashtag for 2014 is #IEng2014.

With the June 2013 event done and dusted, we’re looking ahead to the next I’m an Engineer events. We’re having a break in November, when I’m a Scientist and I’m a Scientist Ireland will be going ahead, but we’re already planning for the I’m an Engineer events next year, just to help you plan, because we’re nice like that.. Monday 10th – Friday 21st March 2014 We’ll run 2 zones during National Science and Engineering Week Monday 16th – Friday 27th June 2014 Teachers, sign up here: imanengineer.org.uk/teachers Engineers, apply here: imanengineer.org.uk/engineers-apply  

At the end of each event we compile a zone report for each zone we’re run, containing moderator observations and our web data. This report provides a summary and some meaningful information on the zone. The Detection Zone was quiet to start off with but quickly picked up as the week went on – it was quite busy during the second week. The live chats were fun and the students seemed to learn lots. Download the report here. What the students said… We had some great feedback from students who took part: “thanks very much! I have enjoyed this better than maths lessons! good bye uve got my vote!” – chivo514, student “thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, its been inspirationals and i hopee to talkk to you again, thankyou” – chucknorris269, student “you really encouraged me to follow my dreams” – rosannagrace, student

It’s not just Gary who’s a winner in the Detection Zone. We asked the zone moderator and the engineers to select the students they thought stood out for asking great questions and engaging well in the chats. The student winner is… drdeath from Malmesbury School, for asking some great questions, including Ben’s favourite: ‘What’s the most useless thing you have made/designed?‘ Well done! A certificate and £20 WH Smith voucher will be on its way to you soon. And the runners-up are… phyteachrhs, for another great question: ‘How would you explain what an engineer does in a tweet of 140 characters?‘, and eviekins, for asking lots of questions and really appreciating the time given to her by the engineers. Well done to all of the students who took part – there were so many great questions that it was hard to pick just one winner. We hope you all enjoyed the … Continue reading →

Congratulations to Gary for winning in the Detection Zone, and well done to runner-up Ben, and all of the other engineers – Samer, Amanda and Dan. 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. In their final chat this morning, there was great encouragement from the class: mrholden : @engineers Huge thanks for your time and best of luck. kamilaa15 : I want you both to win can’t you just split the 500 pounds hahahaa And Gary and Ben shared how much they’ve enjoyed taking part: bendrumm : @students – I’ve had a brilliant 2 weeks on IAE – thanks for making the last chat so enjoyable garyboorman : @students. Thanks for your great questions Did the engineers’ answers to this question affect the students’ … Continue reading →

Just two engineers remain in the competition – who will take away the prize money to spend on further communicating engineering? The choice is yours! Today’s highlights: Back to basics: 07johnsonj : what even is engineering, isn’t fit fixing cars?? garyboorman : I think the work ‘technician’ is more suitable for some jobs, like fixing photocopiers… garyboorman : Engineering is using technology and science to make usable solutions to problems. bendrumm : I’m SO GLAD YOU ASKED THIS!! this is a common misconception amongst the general public. People that mend cars are mechanics. Me Gary and Samer are engineers, and we use scientific principles to design new technology and equipment…! Computer Aided Design (CAD) explained: miss2cool : Whats a 3D CAD model? bendrumm : so when I design stuff I create 3D models of components in a computer. The software packages we use to do that are called CAD (computer … Continue reading →

It’s day 8 and we’re down to the final 3. We’re sorry to see Amanda leave the competition, but only one engineer will be crowned the winner! Who will it be? Today’s highlights: You might already have some ‘engineering’ experience… oceannedawn : Does lego building count as engineering? If so, I have had early experience garyboorman : I think LEGO counts – lots of unis use it to teach engineering principles (gearboxes, control systems etc). Check out LEGO Mindstorms – it’s great! From how to create a particle accelerator… to how to create new particles: thegeckoguynetwork : What materials do you use to make a particle accelerator? bendrumm : mostly copper (for magnets), stainless steel (for most of the vacuum equipment), mild steel (for structures e.g. frames) and magnetic steel (for magnets too!) wilhelm : Why is it important to take pictures of protons colliding? How will it help us … Continue reading →

Day 7 and we’re sad to see Dan leave the competition – but he’s still welcome to join us in more live chats! The next eviction will be at 3pm tomorrow, so make sure you keep voting! Today’s highlights: We learnt what can go wrong with a particle accelerator: synjyboy : what faults can go wrong with particle accelerators? bendrumm : with so MANY bits of equipment, there’s a lot that can go wrong! Example: we had a water leak on one of our big magnet, which leaked on and EVEN BIGGER magnet below and caused it to set on fire :s garyboorman : Particle accelerators are very complicated – when the beam goes off it’s normal direction it can cause a shower of radiation. Some of the benefits of working as an engineer: fintasy : do you get to travel in your job? samerkilani : Yes I do travel … Continue reading →

Day 6 and we’re into week 2 – eviction start tomorrow so make sure you’ve voted for your favourite! Today’s highlights: Engineering and the environment: eviekins : is engineering beneficial to the environment? bendrumm : it can be – as engineers you’re supposed to do things in a way which minimises your impact on the environment (there’s a code of conduct which say’s exactly that!). Some of the research done at ISIS is to do with hydrogen powered cars and washing at low temperatures. And engineers play a crucial rols in developing things like wind turbines, solar panels etc. Why scientists and engineers collide protons: How does taking photos of protons colliding help physics? And the staple-less stapler (which, apparently, is rubbish): Is there any invention you think should never have happened?

We had another day of busy live chats and lots of questions asked again, which the mods are tirelessly approving and sending to the engineers. Next week, evictions start on Tuesday, so remember to VOTE for your favourite engineer! Today’s highlights: Samer compares himself to a sailor.. Navigating the LHC: The LHC seems like a truly amazing thing to work on. Do you still think it is amazing every day, or has the novelty worn off? Dan is nostalgic about the discovery of graphene: Do you think that graphene has a potential to change future? have you ever worked with it? Ben explains the basics of automotive engineering: what is does a degree in automotive entail? Gary discusses equality in the workplace: Whats your opinion on sexual inequality and bias stereo-typically involved in engineering and how it can be overcome? And Amanda admits to playing games at work and explains … Continue reading →