This study addresses the influence of popular media on how young children perceive science and the work of scientists. Using an adapted version of the Draw-A-Scientist Test, 15 classes of fourth graders (9–10 years old) at three different schools in Singapore were sampled (n =266). The students’ drawings as well as their identification of three sources from which they obtained inspiration for their drawings were analyzed. Our results showed a strong relationship between students’ drawings of scientists and their reported sources of inspiration. The results suggest that popular media play a large role in shaping how young children view scientists.
AndersonCAGentileDABuckleyKE (2007) Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
2.
ArcherLDeWittJWongB (2014) Spheres of influence: What shapes young people’s aspirations at age 12/13 and what are the implications for education policy?Journal of Education Policy29(1): 58–85.
3.
BulduM (2006) Young children’s perceptions of scientists: A preliminary study. Educational Research48(1): 121–132.
4.
ChambersDW (1983) Stereotypic images of the scientist: The draw-a-scientist test. Science Education67(2): 255–265.
5.
DeWittJArcherLOsborneJ (2013) Nerdy, brainy and normal: Children’s and parents’ constructions of those who are highly engaged with science. Research in Science Education43(4): 1455–1476.
6.
DeWittJArcherLOsborneJ (2014) Science-related aspirations across the primary-secondary divide: Evidence from two surveys in England. International Journal of Science Education36(10): 1609–1629.
7.
DownsESmithS (2010) Keeping abreast of hypersexuality: A video game character content analysis. Sex Roles62(11–12): 721–733.
FinsonK (2002) Drawing a scientist: What we do and do not know after fifty years of drawings. School Science and Mathematics102(7): 335–345.
10.
GardnerH (1980) Artful Scribbles: The Significance of Children’s Drawings. New York, NY: Basic Books.
11.
HillmanSJBloodsworthKHTilburgCEZeemanSIListHE (2014) K-12 Students’ perceptions of scientists: Finding a valid measurement and exploring whether exposure to scientists makes an impact. International Journal of Science Education36(15): 2580–2595.
12.
JoczJZhaiJTanA-L (2014) Inquiry learning in the singaporean context: Factors affecting student interest in school science. International Journal of Science Education36(15): 2596–2618.
13.
JonesMGHoweARuaMJ (2000) Gender differences in students’ experiences, interests, and attitudes toward science and scientists. Science Education84(2): 180–192.
14.
Ministry of Education (2014) Primary Science Syllabus. Singapore: Ministry of Education.
15.
PrimackBASidaniJCarrollMVFineMJ (2009) Associations between smoking and media literacy in college students. Journal of Health Communication14(6): 541–555.
16.
RobinsonMKennyB (2003) Engineering literacy in high school students. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society23(2): 95–101.
17.
SheH-C (1995) Elementary and middle school students’ image of science and scientists related to current science textbooks in Taiwan. Journal of Science Education and Technology4(4): 283–294.
18.
SongJKimK-S (1999) How korean students see scientists: The images of the scientist. International Journal of Science Education21(9): 957–977.
19.
SteinkeJApplegateBLapinskiMRyanLLongM (2012) Gender differences in adolescents’ wishful identification with scientist characters on television. Science Communication34(2): 163–199.
20.
SteinkeJLapinskiMKCrockerNZietsman-ThomasAWilliamsYEvergreenSH. (2007) Assessing media influences on middle school-aged children’s perceptions of women in science using the draw-a-scientist test (DAST). Science Communication29(1): 35–64.
21.
TaiRLiuCMalteseAFanX (2006) Planning early for careers in science. Science312(5777): 1143–1144.
22.
TürkmenH (2008) Turkis primary students’ perceptions about scientist and what factors affecting the image of the scientists. Euroasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education4(1): 55–61.
23.
WatsonMMcMahonM (2005) Children’s career development: A research review from a learning perspective. Journal of Vocational Behavior67(2): 119–132.
24.
WebbNB (2004) The draw-your-bad-dream technique. In: KadusonHGSchaeferCE (eds) More 101 Role Play Therapy Techniques. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, pp. 159–162.
25.
WhiteleggECarrJHollimanR (2013) Using Creative Media Literacy Skills to Raise Aspirations in STEM. Milton Keynes: The Open University.
