The planets were aligned, there was a weird shift in the moon’s gravitational pull, or the internet was broken. These are the only explanations that I can think of for today’s events. Today, despite all logic and sense, I was crowned winner of the Boron Zone in I’m a Scientist.
I wrote last night of my adversary – the formidable Dr Keith Brain. Today he lived up to his role, and I was certain that my cause was lost…
I lay in bed thinking. It was 4am, and the final play for master of the Boron zone was soon to begin. I needed to think of a strategy. Like any general on the eve of a great battle, I reviewed both my own and my opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Keith knew his stuff – anything to do with the body or how it worked he had the upper hand on. He also had a sense of humour in his responses; that was another strength of his that I couldn’t out manoeuvre. He was brave – he wasn’t afraid to comment if he disagreed with a point or if he found an error. No help there. Keith went into depth with his answers – sometimes too much depth – this could go either way depending on the question. That I couldn’t count on. He was also unrelenting – from what I could tell he had answered almost every question asked to him – I still had 3 pages left unanswered.
OK, no help looking at my competitor – what about my own strengths? I’m pretty much online at all times – a personality flaw I shall admit, but this could be invaluable in striking first with newly asked questions (and potential voters!). I can explain things in quite simple terms – perhaps my lacks in knowledge could do me well in only giving the basic, easy to understand answers? I can type quickly – this I could see as my greatest advantage. In the chat on Thursday, I estimate I was answering/posting a comment every 15 seconds for an hour and a half; whilst Dr Brain was rather slow in his responses. This meant that I could chat to more children, and thus engage with them more. This was sure to be my ace in the hole during the final chat at ten past 2.
I went back to sleep, confident that I was very far from winning, but I could at least give Keith Brain a run for his money. Confidence is a wonderful thing.
I walked into the office with the determination of an old west cowboy. I was going to go in there all guns blazing and go out with a bang. Pretty soon the ‘ding‘ on my phone signified a new email – more I’m a Scientist questions to answer. I was straight on the website, I picked one out of the list (about half way down – an easy one to get going!) and enthusiastically jabbed at the keys. Submit. I sat back and cracked my knuckles – today was going to be a good day. Out of curiosity and competitiveness I went onto Dr Brain’s profile to see what was the last question he has answered (it may be one I hadn’t gotten around to yet) – Bam. He had answered one of the new ones too.
That meant he was online right now. The children were online right now too. The game began.
The next few hours felt like a cross between a high school science lessons and Wimbledon tennis – amazing questions being thrown by the children, whilst myself and Keith dived at the balls, trying to get the first hit, and then trying to strike the winning shot. Here I felt that Keith played the better game – his answers were fast and consistent, witty and accurate. I could not find a single fault with them (he did however find some faults with mine). I did however manage to sneak some shorter, simpler answers in there now and then; something that maybe might have tipped the game in my favour.
By 2pm I felt Dr Brain had the advantage. He had simply outclassed me. I only had one shot left – the live chat. Here my speed of typing would surely win over the slow responses of my adversary.
As has happened many times in this event, I was one of the first ones in. After a bit of a chat with one of the moderators, Dr Brain made his entrance. We exchanged pleasantries and wished each other the best of luck – there was no malice in our competition, just the will to win. Then I had a major blow to my campaign. After me commenting about how my fingers hurt after typing so much yesterday, Keith explained how he had been on his phone in a meeting during the chat – hence his slow typing. Now he was on a full size keyboard for the first time, and in the brief discussions that followed before the students arrived he proved that he could easily type as quick as I. I had no advantage. All I had on my side now was enthusiasm and determination.
Luckily it appears that was enough.
With the speed of the chat room, I very rarely got to see Dr Brain’s comments (perhaps I was avoiding looking for fear of being outdone). Instead I just focussed on answering as many questions as well as possible and getting the students to find things out for themselves – quite a few went and looked through the BLOODHOUND website during the chat, returning with all sorts of great questions.
The moderators (who were just superb) decided to announce the winner live in the chat. I had butterflies. I had more than butterflies. I was sat on the edge of my seat, stomach turning, watching every movement of the chat room – students had remained behind to find out so it was continuously moving. All of my work colleagues gathered round.. the entire office was silent as we watched and waited.
The time between ‘And the winner of I’m a Scientist 2010 is…‘ and the result seemed to go on forever, and when my name was said the office exploded in a burst of hysteria. I jumped from my seat whooping for joy. That is what science engagement can do to you!
As for my worthy opponent, we exchanged words of commiserations and congratulations, complemented each other on our work and bid each other adieu.
What have I learnt?
I never realised just how captivating, exciting and how simply fantastic science engagement can really be. I loved every minute of it, and would recommend it to any scientist or student. Do it.
The other thing I learnt is that in order to win, you need to have someone to beat. Dr Keith Brain was as worthy an opponent as they come. Alongside him were Alastair Sloan, Emma Carter and Vicki Stevenson – all fantastic science communicators and all worthy of victory.
The result today could have gone either way in my opinion. I faced some tough competition, and still don’t know how I came out on top.
Every single scientist involved with IAS2010 is a winner – we have all gained an experience that we shall not forget. I may be the winner, but if all the scientists involved have gained as much as I have, then we are all winners.
Tags: alastair sloan, emma carter, i'm a scientist, ias2010, keith brain, vicki stevenson
Congratulations on your mysterious win. I agree – discovering you didn’t actually have the faster typist advantage must have been quite a blow. But you didn’t let it throw you, so perhaps you had the Kipling-esque keeping your head while all around you were losing theirs advantage.
I’m really thrilled to see how much the scientists in particular have enjoyed their participation in #IAS2010. I knew the students would love it – but I’m so glad to read so many accounts from scientists who found it a learning experience as well.