Perceptions of Scientists: A Comparative Study of Fifth Graders and Fourth Year Student Teachers

This study compared the perception of scientists of fifth grade elementary school students’ (n=65) and senior student teachers (n=48). First, all participants answered a form with seven open-ended questions, and then they were given a blank piece of paper on which to draw a picture of a scientist. Both qualitative and quantitative procedures were utilized to analyze the data of the study. The results showed that student teachers’ perception of scientists were more stereotypical than those of the fifth grade students were. Even though today’s education programs are framed to encourage the idea of being scientists, scientific thinking and scientific society, student teachers’ perception of scientists were surprising given that they are likely to be classroom teachers in only a year’s time. The paper concludes with suggestions for science education, including an activity to put a positive image of scientists in students’ minds.