Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Primary School Students’ Views on Science and Scientists

  • Chapter
Drawing for Science Education

Abstract

In science education literature, there are many studies that investigated students’ stereotypical images of scientists at all levels (e.g. Cakmakci, Tosun, Turgut, Orenler, Sengul, & Top, 2011; Kaya, Dogan, & Ocal, 2008; McCarthy, 2014; Narayan, Park, Peker, & Suh, 2013; Song & Kim, 1999; Yvonne, 2002; Turkmen, 2008). Why are students’ images about science and scientists important for the science education community? Because, students’ attitudes toward science are essential during their educational life and choice of occupation after school (She, 1998; Boylan, Hill, Walace, & Wheeler, 1992).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akcay, B. (2011). Turkish elementary and secondary students’ views about science and scientist. Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, 12(1), Art. 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). (1993). Benchmarks for science literacy: A Project 2061 report. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barman, C. R. (1997). Students’ views of scientists and science: Results from a national study. Science and Children, 35, 18–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barman, C. R. (1999). Students’ views about scientists and school science: Engaging K-8 teachers in a national study. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 10(1), 43–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barman, C. R., Ostlund, K. L., Gatto, C. C., & Halferty, M. (1997). Fifth grade students’ perceptions about scientists and how they study and use science. AETC conf, U.S.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodzin, A., & Gehringer, M. (2001). Can meeting actual scientists change students’ perceptions of scientists? Science and Children, 39(1), 36–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boylan, C. R., Hill, D. M., Wallace, A. R., & Wheeler, A. E. (1992). Beyond stereotypes. Science Education, 76, 465–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Britner, S. L., & Pajares, F. (2001). Self- efficacy beliefs, motivation, race, and gender in middle school science. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering, 7, 271–285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buldu, M. (2006). Young children’s perceptions of scientists: A preliminary study. Educational Research, 48(1), 121–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cakmakci, G., Tosun, O., Turgut, S., Orenler, S., Sengul, K., & Top, G. (2011). Promoting an inclusive image of scientists among students: Towards research evidence-based practice. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 9, 627–655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, D. W. (1983). Stereotypic images of the scientist: The Draw-Scientist Test. Science Education, 67(2), 255–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiang, C. L., & Guo, C. J. (1996). A study of the image of the scientist for elementary school children. A paper presented at the National Association for Research in Science Teaching Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finson, K. D. (2002). Drawing a scientist: What we do and do not know after fifty years of drawings. School Science and Mathematics, 102, 335–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finson, K. D. (2003). Applicability of the DAST-C to the images of scientists drawn by students of different racial groups. Journal of Elementary Science Education, 15(1), 15–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finson, K. D., Beaver, J. B., & Cramond, B. L. (1995). Development and field test of a checklist for the Draw-A-Scientist Test. School Science and Mathematics, 95(4), 195–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finson, K. D., Pedersen, J., & Thomas, J. (2006). Comparing science teaching styles to students’ perceptions of scientists. School Science and Mathematics, 106(1), 8–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flick, L. (1990). Scientist in residence program improving children’s image of science and scientists. School Science and Mathematics, 90, 205–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, Y. Y. H. (2002). A comparative study of primary and secondary school students’ images of scientists. Research in Science and Technological Education, 20(2), 199–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, D., & Wheeler, A. (1991). Towards a clearer understanding of students’ ideas about science and technology: An exploratory study. Research in Science and Technological Education, 9(2), 125–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huber, R. A., & Burton, C. M. (1995). What the students think scientist look like? School Science and Mathematics, 95, 371–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis, T., & Rennie, L. J. (1995). Children’s choice of drawings to communicate their ideas about technology. Research in Science Education, 25(3), 239–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R., & Bangert, A. (2006). The CSI effect: Changing the face of science. Science Scope, 30(3), 38–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M. G., Howe, A., & Rua, M. J. (2000). Gender differences in students’ experiences, interests, and attitudes toward science and scientists. Science Education, 84(2), 180–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaya, O. N., Dogan, A., & Ocal, E. (2008). Turkish elementary school students’ images of scientists. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 32, 83–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koballa, T. R., Jr. (1993). Synthesis of science attitude research of elementary grades. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Atlanta, GA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korkmaz, H., & Kavak, G. (2010). Primary school students’ images of science and scientists. Elementary Education Online, 9(3), 1055–1079.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leblebicioglu, G., Metin, D., Yardimci, E., & Cetin, P. S. (2011). The effect of informal and formal interaction between scientists and children at a science camp on their images of scientists. Science Education International, 22(3), 158–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Losh, S. C., Wilke, R., & Pop, M. (2008). Some methodological issues with “draw a scientist test” among young children. International Journal of Science Education, 30, 773–792.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacCorquodale, P. (1984). Self image, science and math: Does the image of the “scientist” keep girls and minorities from pursuing science and math? Paper presented at the 79th annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, San Antonio, TX.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2006). Designing qualitative research (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, C., Kahle, J., & Gardner, A. (1991). Draw-A-Scientist test: Future implications. School Science and Mathematics, 91(5), 193–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matkins, J. J. (1996). Customizing the draw-a-scientist test to analyze the effect that teachers have on their students’ perceptions and attitudes toward science. Paper presented at the Association for the Education of Teachers of Science Conference.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, D. (2014). Teacher candidates’ perceptions of scientists: 30 years after DAST. Presented at LERA, Lafayette, LA.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDuffie Jr, T. E. (2001). Scientists – Geeks & nerds? Dispelling teachers’ stereotypes of scientists. Science and Children, 38(8), 16–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mead, M., & Metraux, R. (1957). Images of the scientists among high-school students. Science, 126, 384–390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of National Education. (2004). Elementary science and technology course curriculum. Ankara, Turkey: Ministry of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of National Education (MoNE). (2011). Social sciences textbook. Ankara, Turkey: National Education Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monhardt, R. M. (2003). The image of the scientist through the eyes of Navajo children. Journal of American Indian Education, 42, 25–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Narayan, R., Park, S., & Peker, D. (2007). Sculpted by culture: Students’ embodied images of scientists. Proceedings of epiSTEME 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Narayan, R., Park, S., Peker, D., & Suh, J. (2013). Students’ images of scientists and doing science: An international comparison study. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 9(2), 115–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council. (2000). Inquiry and the national science education standards. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Next Generation Science Standards. (2013). Next generation science standards: For states, by states Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ozel, M. (2012). Children’s images of scientists: Does grade level make a difference? Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, 12(4), 3187–3198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmquist, B. C., & Finley, F. N. (1997). Preservice teachers’ views of the nature of science during a postbaccalaurate science teaching program. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 34(6), 595–615.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quita, I. N. (2003). What is a scientist? Perspectives of teachers of color. Multicultural Education, 11, 29–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rampal, A. (1992). Images of science and scientists: A study of school teachers’ views. I. Characteristics of scientists. Science Education, 76(4), 415–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, D. B. (1993). Images of scientists: A comparison of biology and liberal studies majors. School Science and Mathematics, 93, 212–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubin, E., & Bar, V., & Cohen, A. (2003). The images of scientists and science among Hebrew and Arabic-speaking pre service teachers in Israel. International Journal of Science Education, 25, 821–846.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • She, H. C. (1995). Elementary and middle school students’ image of science and scientists related to current science textbooks in Taiwan. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 4(4), 283–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • She, H. C. (1998). Gender and grade level differences in Taiwan students’ stereotypes of science and scientists. Research in Science and Technological Education, 16(2), 125–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sjoberg, S. (2000). Science and scientists: The SAS study. Retrieved November 10, 2014, from http://www.uio.no/~sveinsj/

    Google Scholar 

  • Song, Y., Darling, M. F., Dixon, J. W., Koonce, S. L., McReynolds, M. L., Meier, J. C., & Stafsholt, E. R. (2011). Pre-service teachers as researchers: 3rd grade students’ views of scientists. Teaching Science, 1(2). Retrieved May 21, 2012, from http://www.cpet. ufl.edu/teachingscience/PDFs/Youngjin%20Song%20manuscript.pdf

  • Song, J., & Kim, K. S. (1999). How Korean students see scientists: The images of the scientist. International Journal of Science Education, 21(9), 957–977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparkes, J. (1992). Some differences between science and technology. In R. McCormack, C. Newey, & J. Sparkes (Eds.), Technology for technology education (pp. 75–87). Wokingham: Addison-Wesley Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Talsma, V. L. (2007, April 16) Scientist as ‘Self’ and ‘Other’: Using Self-Schema Theory as a Heuristic for the DAST. A paper accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, New Orleans, LA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, J. A., Pedersen, J. E., & Finson, K.D. (2001). Validating the Draw-A-Science-Teacher-Test checklist: Exploring mental models and teacher beliefs. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 12(3), 295–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Togrol Yontar, A. (2000). Öğrencilerin Bilim İnsanı ile İlgili İmgeleri. Education and Science, 25(118), 49–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turkmen, H. (2008). Turkish primary students’ perceptions about scientist and what factors affecting the image of the scientists. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 4(1), 55–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turkmen, H., & Pedersen, J. E. (2005). Examining the technological history of Turkey impacts on teaching science. Science Education International, 17(2), 115–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yvonne, Y. H. F. (2002). A comparative study of primary and secondary school students’ images of scientists. Research in Science and Technological Education, 20(2), 199–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mersin University, Turkey

    Sinan Özgelen

Authors
  1. Sinan Özgelen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Maryland, USA

    Phyllis Katz

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Sense Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Özgelen, S. (2017). Primary School Students’ Views on Science and Scientists. In: Katz, P. (eds) Drawing for Science Education. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-875-4_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6300-875-4_17

  • Publisher Name: SensePublishers, Rotterdam

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-6300-875-4

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation