Children’s Images of Scientists: Does Grade Level Make a Difference?* (original) (raw)

A Study of the Images of the Scientist for Elementary School Children

1996

The purpose of this study was to explore elementary school children's images of scientists with emphasis on how children define scientists, their idea of the nature of scientists' work, and factors that might influence the formation of their images of scientists. Twenty-eight 5th and 6th grade students were asked to draw pictures and write compositions about scientists and were then interviewed for further details regarding their images of scientists. Results indicate that the students did not differentiate scientists from non-scientists very clearly and placed emphasis on scientists' contributions to the well-being of mankind. In addition, findings suggest that students view scientific research as the absolute truth and scientific experiments as proof or verification. Students' images of scientists were found to be influenced by the media, in particular by scientists' biographies. Contains 12 references. (JRH) ****************************************************...

American and Greek Children’s Visual Images of Scientists

Science & education, 2016

This study explores American and Greek primary pupils' visual images of scientists by means of two nonverbal data collection tasks to identify possible convergences and divergences. Specifically, it aims to investigate whether their images of scientists vary according to the data collection instrument used and to gender. To this end, 91 third-grade American (N = 46) and Greek (N = 45) pupils were examined. Data collection was conducted through a drawing task based on Chambers (1983) 'Draw-A-Scientist-Test' (DAST) and a picture selection task during which the children selected between 14 pairs of illustrations those that were most probable to represent scientists. Analysis focused on stereotype indicators related with scientists' appearance and work setting. Results showed that the two groups' performance varied significantly across the tasks used to explore their stereotypic perceptions, although the overall stereotypy was not differentiated according to participants' ethnic group. Moreover, boys were found to use more stereotypic indicators than girls, while the picture selection task elicited more stereotypic responses than the drawing task. In general, data collected by the two instruments revealed convergences and divergences concerning the stereotypic indicators preferred. Similarities and differences between national groups point to the influence of a globalized popular culture on the one hand and of the different sociocultural contexts underlying science curricula and their implementation on the other. Implications for science education are discussed.

Gender stereotypes in preschoolers’ image of scientists

European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 2019

This paper examines how children aged 6-7, see scientists. By combining the data collected through the analysis of the drawings (Draw-a-scientist-test) and interviews, it was established that boys are more inclined to expressing gender stereotypes about scientists and showing them in their pictures. Among other stereotypical elements referring to scientists, formerly established in other studies, the most observable ones among considered preschoolers refer to the presence of the following: a lab coat, eyeglasses, scientist's messy hair, and activity related to the field of natural sciences. The significance of this kind of research lies in getting a more complete view on children's image of scientists through the analysis of data obtained by means of two instruments, and in the possibility of developing adequate approaches in preschool teachers' work that could help reduce preschoolers' stereotypical views of science and scientists.

Middle School Students' Images of Scientists After a Project Called "Artvin Nature and Science Camp

2019

The aim of this study was to investigate middle school students' images of scientists who participated in a local project called Artvin Nature and Science Camp. This project was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey with 115B089 code. For the purpose of the study, 30 middle school students were selected. Survey method was used. In order to evaluate students' stereotypic images, "Draw a Scientist Test" was used. The data obtained from this study were analyzed based on percentage and frequency. It was found that girls mostly draw scientists as wearing daily clothes; with well-groomed hair; in laboratory; test tube or beaker around him/her; and portrayed happy, young woman with glasses. In their drawing, boys described scientists as messy hair; in laboratory; test tube or beaker around him/her; and as young man without accessories. Boys also do not specify definite outfit on their images.

Determining 1st– 4th Grade Elementary School Students’ Perceptions of Scientists

Acta Didactica Napocensia, 2020

The main purpose of this study is to determine the perceptions of elementary school students (1,2,3 and 4) about science and scientist. The study has been included three different elementary schools in the city center of Kastamonu in northwest Turkey. A total of 1862 students in the first (n = 480), second (n = 450), third (n = 471) and fourth (n = 461) classes participated in the study. The Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST) developed by Chambers (1983) was used to determine the views of students about scientists. The content of the collected data was analyzed. It was found that the majority of the students, in total and at all grades, drew pictures of male scientists. It was determined that they made drawings of scientists who were in daily clothes, had well-groomed hair and were working in different environments (nature, space, etc.).

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ SCIENTIST IMAGE: IS IT SENSATIONAL OR TRADITIONAL?

It can be said that the positive perception that the students will develop against science and the scientist from childhood is so effective that it can direct their perception in their future lives. Therefore, determination of students’ perceptions of science and the scientist is very important for educators. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to determine secondary school students’ images of the scientist. Moreover, the study also looked at the classroom factors affecting students’ images of the scientist. The study was carried out with the participation of 240 secondary school students in a city located in the western part of Turkey in the fall term of the 2017-2018 school year. In the study, the DAST scale adapted by Farland (2003) was administered to the secondary school students. Within the context of the current study, the secondary school students’ images of the scientist were explored in terms of the appearance, working area and works of the scientist.