Iâm an Engineer is a student-led, online enrichment activity that connects students with people working in a diverse range of roles in STEM.
Taking part is free for state-maintained schools. Itâs a moderated, flexible activity, that is safe, secure, and easy to use. Itâs suitable for ages from 10 years old.
During the activity, students:
Learn about up to 40 relevant engineers through their profiles, including their CVs
Connect with a diverse range of engineers in 30-minute, text-based, online Chats
Deepen their understanding and continue engaging with the engineers by sending follow-up questions
Decide which engineer deserves the ÂŁ500 winnerâs prize
Review their learning through a facilitated discussion
Once youâve signed up, weâll be in touch with your login details for imanengineer.org.uk. If you have signed up but havenât received your login information, please contact support@imascientist.org.uk.
The Iâm an Engineer activity can introduce your students to working engineers, relevant to a theme of your choosing. There is a range of activity themes for you to pick from, including those that cover general engineering topics, some that link with curriculum teaching, and other, special event themes that run alongside things like Green Careers Week.
If youâd like to run the activity with multiple classes, youâll need to book each theme and Chat individually. You can book multiple Chats throughout the school year.
Students can take part with the same account for multiple Chats. Name the class in a memorable way that will work for future Chat themes. We recommend: Year Group – Subj – Class Name (e.g. Y0 – Technology – 9HC).
Students should make note of their username and password in paper planners or online learning environments to use in the future. You’ll be able to choose this class when booking future Chats, which will invite your students.
Students who already have an account can join your class using the ‘existing students join’ link from the /create-class page.
Managing your bookings
Once youâve booked your Chat, weâll send out the date and time to a selection of theme-relevant engineers. The engineers will then respond to the Chat invite to let you know whether theyâll be joining your class.
You can view all of your classes and Chat bookings, current and previous, on your Dashboard.
Once youâve chosen a theme for your classâs activity and booked your Chat, your students will be able to view the profiles of all the engineers relevant to that theme.
An engineerâs profile will include pictures, information about them and their work, some interview style questions, and a small section on work history. The profiles will help students see the diversity of people working in STEM.
You and your students will be able to view the specific engineers whoâve signed up to attend your classâs Chat by visiting the Dashboard.
There are a few things youâll need to do before your Chat.
IT needs: Arrange for students to have access to IT equipment at the time of the Chat (e.g. book computer suite, laptops, or tablets). Iâm an Engineer works best when students have access to their own device. Make sure that school students are able to log in on your organisationsâ devices.
Student access: Youâll need to give your students access so that they can send and read messages in the Chat. You can find your classes here: imanengineer.org.uk/create-class. Hand out the pre-made login cards or the unique registration URL.
When itâs time for your Chat, you and your students need to:
Log in at imanengineer.org.uk
Click the ‘Chat’ button at the top of the page
A moderator will have set the live Chat up for you 5 minutes before it is due to start. Only students in your class can access your booked Chat. If you have any issues, call us ASAP on 01225 667 922.
During the Chat
Students can ask the engineers any questions they like. Chats can be fast-paced and lively, but remember that there will also be a DBS-checked moderator in the Chat, who is there to make sure everything runs smoothly. Find out more about live Chats âŻ
This is an example of what you’ll see in a live Chat:
Following on from a Chat, students can ask more in-depth questions to engineers within their theme, even if the engineer they’re asking wasnât present in their Chat. Find out more about the Ask page âŻ
If students add an email address to their account, they get an email alert when their question has been answered.
Youâre able to see the questions your students have had answered from your Dashboard. Students can also see the questions their peers have asked. Students, teachers, and engineers can comment on these questions, sparking wider conversations.
Students can Vote for their favourite engineer. At the end of each term, the engineer with the most votes will win a ÂŁ500 prize to spend on further STEM engagement.
The engineersâ profiles will explain how they would wish to spend the prize money. After seeking out further information through the Chat and in follow-up questions, students can use critical thinking to make an informed voting decision.
After the Chat or at the start of a following lesson, encourage your students to participate in the 5-minute reflection activity to facilitate discussion around their experience.
Through this assessment tool, students delve deeper into the learning outcomes they have met.
When your Chat closes, youâll be given the option to download a copy of the transcript. Donât worry if you close the Chat window â you’ll also be emailed a link to the transcript at the end of the day.
If you should have any questions, or need a hand with anything, please donât hesitate to get in touch with us at support@imascientist.org.uk or by calling (+44) 01225 667 922.
