Healthcare becomes more relatable

By taking part in I’m a Medic students can:

• See real-life examples and applications of science
• Learn about the transferability of science and healthcare qualifications
• See healthcare professionals as normal people (not ‘elite geniuses’) with hobbies, interests, pets, and families

Read case studies from teachers who have taken part

Supporting students’ science capital

Science capital is a measure of a person’s personal relationship with science. It relates to how much they see the subject as ‘for them’. More about science capital.

I’m a Medic supports the science capital teaching approach:

• Students become more aware of the diversity of, nature of, and routes into STEM jobs
• We challenge the misconceptions that a job in science is all-consuming and based in a lab
• Here’s how I’m a Medic boosts students’ science capital

Students discover new careers

• Students connect with healthcare professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds, disciplines, and industries
• They hear about new STEM careers and opportunities in Higher Education
• I’m a Medic supports 7 of the 8 Gatsby Careers Benchmarks

Every student is equal

• Text-based live Chats mean that all students have an equal chance of being answered:
  • “It helps [to see] students in a different light. Some who are normally very quiet in school became very active in the chat.” – Teacher
• Students gain confidence through asking questions.
  More about the advantages of text-based interactions

Accessible to every school

• Schools within 15 minutes’ drive of a university are twice as likely to receive a visit from a university healthcare professionals than those 30 minutes or more away
• I’m a Medic is online, so you can access it from anywhere.
• More about how distance matters
• More about our commitment to underserved and widening participation schools

It’s backed by research:

• I’m a Medic supports the Science Capital Teaching Approach
• Taking part supports students’ science capital
• It’s secure, safe and you’re in control: Only students who’ve been given access by their teacher can login to the Chat.
• No personal details are shared on the site, and student content is moderated. Read our safeguarding statement ❯
• You get to see which students have logged in and what questions they’ve asked.
• You can download transcripts of live Chats

Everything’s designed for easy, online access:

• Signing up is quick and easy
• Students can log in at any time to read healthcare professionals’ profiles and send questions in Ask
• Students create their own username using a link you create. This will take them around 10 minutes; send it to them the day before your chat, or earlier
• You book chats for times that suit you and your students
• Watch the video guides to see what it’s like to take part

It’s free for state-maintained schools:

• Places are fully funded for state-maintained schools
• That means that most schools don’t have to pay
• Non-state-maintained schools may be asked to pay a fee to take part.
  Find out more ❯