I’m a scientist has absolutely confirmed that communicating science is my favourite thing about science. The questions from the students really reminded me of the curiosity I had when I was younger that brought me to science in the first place. I really enjoyed how bizarre some of the questions were and particularly those that really made me have to think!

The range of topics that came up was astounding! I’d expected a lot of students to be interested in marine life, but actually found that more were interested in space, the origins of the universe and various future apocalypse ideas (zombies were really popular!!). Some of the questions were very philosophical and reminded me that although we have to try and treat science as data and hypotheses, there are a lot of very important questions that people want science to help them answer.

I often think my work can get a bit boring when I’ve spent all day writing computer programmes, but the questions about my work helped revitalise my interest and made me realise just how interesting it can be! My favourite question was this: “Is it more important for a scientist to ask the right questions than to have the right answers?” I think this is so fundamental and I was really pleased to see students asking questions like this.

I’m hoping to use the prize money towards a project I’d like to start here in Cape Town. Firstly, I’d like to take some of the local children from the poor township schools to the beach for a day to learn about marine life. But after talking to some of the lovely moderators at “I’m a scientist” I’m also hoping to get these students to participate in a future I’m a scientist event. They often don’t have good computer facilities so I will need to make a plan for them to come to my university and take part.

I’m so pleased to have won, not just for the prize, but also because I think this will give me the confidence to take part in more science communication work, particularly with younger students.

I’d like to thank the students very much for taking part so enthusiastically and voting for me! Good luck to all of you in your studies and I really hope the event has inspired you to become a scientist!

Hayley