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The Visit Zone
Due to COVID-19, many schools can no longer visit Science Centres or Museums in person. In the Visit Zone, students can engage with museum staff online.
Take part and stay connected with your schools on the I’m a Scientist platform.
Everything happens online, so it’s easy to get involved from your desk at times that suit your schedule.
The format
You invite your schools to participate in a chat with six exhibits from your organisation. Each exhibit needs a staff member behind it to engage with students. Just as would be the case if they visited you in person.
Each exhibit has a profile on this site, including images and videos.
In school or as homework, students read profiles about the exhibits. They can ask their questions and take part in a pre-booked, text-based chat session.
Students vote for their favourite object from each museum to win!
Picking your exhibits
Exhibits could be
- a specific object
- a particular display or cabinet
- a full exhibition or room
- something that isn’t publicly on display
We’ll send you a set of usernames to log in to the Visit Zone, so you can create your exhibit profiles.
There are a set of questions to answer about your exhibit. You can include images and videos, to make it accessible for a range of abilities.
Chats with classes
Chats last up to 40 minutes. They happen in our simple chat room (all text, no video or audio needed).
Chats are fast paced and fun. Watch example chat
Keep in touch with your schools to ensure they book times that fit into your schedule.
Moderation of chats
The I’m a Scientist team will moderate your first three chats. We’ll show you the ropes, ensure everything runs smoothly and keep the conversation on track.After this, a staff member from your organisation will moderate future chat sessions.
Working with schools
- We will provide a page for your organisation to use to promote to teachers. You can edit this too.
- You share this page with your schools.
- When a teacher signs up, we will send them a username and instructions to book a chat.
- The teacher will email you their chat confirmation, to make sure you can make it.
Time needed
Before chats start, organisations spend 20 minutes filling out a profile about their selected exhibit.
Each live chat is 40 minutes, booked in advance by the teacher. We recommend between 3-6 exhibits in each chat.
Students can also send questions to exhibits outside the chats, through the site. These can be answered at any time.
Equipment needed
All that’s needed is a computer with internet access. The live chats are text-based and run through this site. Learn more about the advantages of a text-focused format.
Questions? Email support@iasuk.ddev.site
