Young children's perceptions of science and the scientist

Abstract

A Draw‐a‐Scientist‐Test was done by 1143 children between the ages of 4 + and 11 + years. Attributes of the scientists and the backgrounds were recorded for each year group and compared one with another and with the drawings of a control group. There was evidence of a stereotypical image of the scientist as early as six years of age. Science tended to be depicted as an indoor activity for making new materials and artefacts, and for the study of animals. It was suggested that strategies intended to change perceptions of science may be applied too late and too narrowly to be fully effective. While the National Curriculum for Science may widen children's perceptions of the nature of science, it may have much less effect on children's image of the scientist.