Another in the ever growing group of events with similar names, So You Want To Be A Scientist? is BBC Radio 4’s search for the Amateur Scientist of the Year. First run last year, the competition is open to anyone who is not a professional scientist, currently studying science or has ever had a paper published in a scientific journal. Applicants submit ideas for scientific research that they themselves can do, and four finalists will get the chance to carry out their ideas with guidance from a team of researchers, before presenting their findings at the Cheltenham Science Festival.

Last year’s winner looked at whether garden snails have a homing instinct: her research suggested that they do, being able to return to their resting and feeding sites from up to 30m metres. But you are not restricted to garden wildlife: any branch of science will be considered, and one of last year’s finalists even looked at what determines Facebook profile pictures. If you’ve always regretted giving up chemistry or are just an interested amateur with an idea, go to BBC Radio 4 for application details.

If you’re not sure you have it in you, or just wonder what it takes to be a scientist, now seems like the ideal moment to repost Stephen Curry’s excellent video I’m a Scientist, a 26 minute film looking at what scientists are really like and what it means to be one. This film is what came of Stephen winning I’m a Scientist: Get Me Out Of Here!

Suitably inspired? You have until October 31st to apply!