Draw a Scientist TestWhat do Teaching Assistants draw ?

Context Science teacher since 1983

Based on my LA Consultant work – training for TAs as part of 5 day Induction

38 TAs in this sample March 2009

DAST DAST (Chambers, 1983) 4807 primary aged students in America

7 specific attributes of a scientist (only 28 female scientists drawn)

A laboratory coat Eyeglasses Facial hair (beard, moustache, abnormally long side burns) Symbols of research (scientific instruments and laboratory equipment) Symbols of knowledge (book, filing cabinet, pens) Technology (products of science as rockets, television) Relevant caption (such as formulas, eureka)

Other studies pictures of scientists drawn by girls are more

colourful (Boyd and Bee, 2006) drawings by older children have more detail

(Schibeci and Soresen, 1983) drawings represent a perceived public stereotype and

not their personal belief or perception (Symington and Spurling, 1990).

lack the confidence or ability to draw which can limit their expression of their perception of a scientist (Mosely and Mosely, 1999)

Findings

26 were interpreted as male scientists

9 indeterminate and 3 females

Physical attributes:Lab Coat and Glasses 36 wearing glasses 31 laboratory coats

Tie coolFood (on coat)

Bad tie with hideous

pictures of sheep

Sensible (health and safety) footwear

Pockets full of stuff

Hair

Nearly always losing hair – due to exposure to hazardous drugs

Hippy hair Mad hair Bushy eye brows Scary hair

4 facial hair 23 drawings bald or

sticky out hair

Symbols on 19 drawings Research 23 scientific equipment including

bunsen burners, ph paper, flasks 15 with test tubes

Knowledge 6 books O computers or www. 1 plant 25 pens in pockets of coat

Technology Light bulbs – thinking ? Batteries

Alternative Images 23 smiling images 1 dangerous image

Comments Remarkable similarity

Hair changes

Smiles

Lack of technology

Next steps Larger study

Information about the TA gathered

Follow up questionnaire

Impact of these perceptions on students