Children's perception of the work of a scientist

Abstract

Research shows that children develop a stereotypic image of a scientist from an early age. This stereotypic image is usually that of a male, wearing a lab coat while working solitary in a laboratory. Moreover, science educators are concerned about the limited number of students opting for science careers. This study aims to identify the perception of the work of a scientist held by Maltese students in their fifth year of Primary education, and to investigate how this perception varies across schools and gender. The main research method was the DAST (Drawing a Scientist Test), followed by an interview. Students were also shown pictures of people at work, some scientists, some not and asked whether they think that the person in the picture is a scientist or not and why. The data was collected from 24 students, 12 boys and 12 girls from four different schools. The main perceptions of the work of a scientist identified by students where three: that of a scientist working indoors; in a classroom as a science teacher; or else working in a lab using laboratory equipment. The scientist was usually considered to work on his own. The development of student's correct views of the work of a scientist is possible by giving students, even in their primary years, the opportunity to meet various scientists of both genders and to discuss their work.