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Samantha Firth

Ah, I've made it to the FINAL! How exciting 😎 Thanks for your votes, lovely people!

My CV

  • Education:

    St Joseph’s College, Swindon
    – Cirencester College
    – Queen Mary, University of London

  • Qualifications:

    GCSEs – History, English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Dance, Music, ICT

    A Levels – Biology, Chemistry, English Literature and Classical Civilisations

    BSc in Biochemistry

  • Work History:

    Photographer
    – Bow tie maker
    – Media Intern
    – Explainer at the Science Museum
    – Social Media Officer

  • Current Job:

    I am the Communications and Social Media Officer for STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council)

  • About Me:

    I’m Sammie – I’m from Swindon and I love talking about science, playing rugby and eating cake! 🍰🚀🏉

  • Read more

    This is me setting flour on fire FOR SCIENCE!

  • Read more

    I am the Communication and Social Media Officer for the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

    But what does that even mean?! 🤔

    Well – It’s my job to talk about science. I get to learn about the latest and greatest science – like landslides on Mars and deadly diseases – and then I talk about it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram📱It’s a really fun job because every day, I get to learn new things about how the world works. I take lots of photos and videos to help explain what’s happening!

    A big part of my job involves turning the really complex research our scientists do into interesting, understandable snippets so everyone can enjoy our science! It can be a challenge but my favourite part of the job is getting other people excited about science – especially people who don’t think science is for them. Because science is for everyone (including YOU!)

     

    Some of the posts on our Instagram!

    Rutherford Appleton Laboratory – This is where i work!

  • My Typical Day:

    I wake up at 6am (!!!) and have a very big cup of coffee, jump in my car and drive to work. I like to get started nice and early so, by the time everyone else wakes up, I already have loads of great science facts to tell them!

    I spend the day taking photos and videos, writing, designing on my computer and going to events and talks. It’s my job to be a little bit noseyand to ask our scientists and engineers lots of questions like: What’s that? Which planet is that going to? Why is that laser pointing at me? (only joking).🔎 I then put my content out on social media!

  • Read more

    Every day is quite different! Mostly, I work at our Rutherford Appleton Lab in Oxfordshire where we have our #bigscience facilities – home to lasers, synchrotrons and supercomputers plus over 1,000 scientists and engineers! Sometimes my job takes me to our other laboratories in Edinburgh, Cheshire and to other amazing science locations like CERN in Geneva.

    Once I’ve had my coffee ☕, this is what I get up to:

    • Check to see if there was any important/breaking news overnight🔍
    • Go online and see what we have scheduled to go out our on social media that day
    • Take photos and videos and make animated graphics, GIFs and even the occasional meme!
    • Check to see what day it is – is it #worldchocolateday🍫? is it #nationalcatday🐱? Then I see if we have any science or technology about chocolate or cats and write about it.
    • More coffee ☕
    • Talk to our sites and collaborations across the world to see what’s happening there🌎
    • Talk to our science writers and media whizzes about their latest scoops 📰
    • Attend any events that are happening that need to be covered

    Here I am, filming part of a particle accelerator being set on fire!

  • What I'd do with the prize money:

    I would use the money to start a science podcast! I’d like to feature 8-18 year-olds talking about exciting discoveries, strange science and the some of the world’s biggest science conundrums. Think Horrible Histories meets the Qi Elves’ No Such Thing as a Fish! 🎙️🎉

  • My Interview

    • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

      Positive, Enthusiastic, Curious

      What did you want to be after you left school?

      An actor

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      Yes - for wearing nail varnish and for my really loud laugh!

      Who is your favourite singer or band?

      Fat Freddy's Drop

      What's your favourite food?

      Carrot cake (or any cake)

      If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

      1. Be happy, always! 2. Do some good in the world 3. Find the recipe for that extraordinarily delicious cake you had at that birthday party you went to when you were 9

      Tell us a joke.

      Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere.

Questions answered by Samantha

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