What do children think when they draw a scientist?

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SUMMARY

Professor Christopher Frayling's research at primary schools reveals that children predominantly visualize scientists as outdated caricatures, characterized by wild hair, lab coats, coke-bottle glasses, and a mad demeanor. This perception is heavily influenced by iconic figures like Albert Einstein and fictional mad scientists from cartoons. The discussion highlights the disconnect between children's drawings and the modern image of scientists, emphasizing the need for a more relatable representation in educational contexts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of children's cognitive development and perception.
  • Familiarity with the historical portrayal of scientists in media.
  • Knowledge of educational psychology principles.
  • Awareness of the impact of stereotypes on career aspirations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the influence of media on children's career perceptions.
  • Explore strategies for modernizing the portrayal of scientists in educational materials.
  • Investigate the role of role models in shaping children's aspirations in STEM fields.
  • Examine case studies on effective science communication to children.
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Educators, child psychologists, curriculum developers, and anyone interested in improving the representation of scientists in educational settings.

  • #61
BobG said:
Well, for one thing, the story is an embellishment. Years later, Wiener's daughter was asked about it and denied that he had actually forgotten her name. He did forget where his new house was.
O.K. If you insist: What a sucky load of misinformation you posted!
 
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  • #62
BobG said:
Two cute mathematicians that come to mind right off the bat are Hypatia of Alexandria and Florence Nightingale. Hypatia is considered the first important woman mathematician and Florence Nightengale's work with statistics revolutionized military health care.
I'm a little hesitant to piss off living mathematicians, but I can't resist mentioning Abigail Thompson. I think she's into bondage. :smile:
I think Lisa Randall is quite a lovely physicist.
http://www.physics.harvard.edu/images/profheadshots/randall.jpg
 
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  • #63
What the hell is this?
The "sexy scientists" thread? O_o
 
  • #64
Sting said:
I'll be finishing my bachelors in physics this semester and will be heading for graduate school in mechanical engineering...and to top it off, I go to a school SATURATED with geeks and nerds, so you would think I have the nerd-geek thing going.
While I admit I have wild looking hair, my attire isn't all that geeky.
You'll most likely catch me in flannel, jeans, and workboots and outdoors chopping wood...but I have a pair of leather pants as well, just to break away from the "country boy" image.
I saw your pics! Great hair! Right now it just looks wild and rocker-ish, but when you become an old man you will be able to do a great Einstein impression.:smile:
 
  • #65
Lisa Randall, sure is a pretty physicist (at least on that picture) :biggrin:
 
  • #66
Math Is Hard said:
I think Lisa Randall is quite a lovely physicist.
http://www.physics.harvard.edu/images/profheadshots/randall.jpg
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One can only wonder where that photo was taken - it would probably cause her endless embarrassment if any of her peers saw that photo (as if there were any chance of her peers ever leaving the lab). When caught in her normal environs, she takes pains to conform to the traditional scientist bad hair day. Interview with Lisa Randall

Obviously, the hair thing is an intentional social statement that's clear only to other scientists. Even our own Moonbear added a disclaimer about hair (ever commute to work on West Virginia highways?).

Moonbear said:
Well, Zz can vouch for me...no coke bottle glasses (no corrective lenses of any variety actually), my hair only sticks up when the air is really dry and staticky (or after getting off a roller coaster), and I'm only tempted by blue drinks, not green bubbly ones. Of course I could be the extraordinarily special exception to the rule.
 
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  • #67
BobG said:
When caught in her normal environs, she takes pains to conform to the traditional scientist bad hair day. Interview with Lisa Randall


:!) :!) :!)

Brilliant and Attractive? I think I'm in love...
 
  • #68
I saw your pics! Great hair!.

Thanks :biggrin: . I wish my mom thought the same.

Right now it just looks wild and rocker-ish, but when you become an old man you will be able to do a great Einstein impression.

lol. Interesting you mention that. I wanted to be a rock star for the longest (and I love playing the guitar and drums though I haven't quite gotten use to the whole headbanging thing).

Do you think girls will dig the Einstein impression?
 
  • #69
  • #70
you know, this thread just made me remember something sort of disturbing. when i was a little girl, (well, i still have it now) i had an einstein poster that was above my bed. one day, i was looking at it, and I'm not sure why, i mean, i guess i always looked up to him a bit, and smart guys are pretty attractive and all... but i thought about... well, i... i pictured what he must be like naked...

...

wasn't very awesome.
 
  • #71
kant, I didn't know you could rape gangsters! O_o

Unless I missed something in the popularity stream...
 
  • #72
franznietzsche said:
:!) :!) :!)
Brilliant and Attractive? I think I'm in love...
It's meant to be. Throws rice at franz and Lisa Randall. :approve:
Sting said:
Do you think girls will dig the Einstein impression?
Only the cool ones. :smile:
Gale said:
No no no. The average scientist looks like a gangster raper

i'm not sure why, i mean, i guess i always looked up to him a bit, and smart guys are pretty attractive and all... but i thought about... well, i... i pictured what he must be like naked...
...
wasn't very awesome.
I'm sure he was much hotter in his younger days. Most of the posters I see of him show him when he was much older.
 
  • #73
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  • #74
Math Is Hard said:
I'm sure he was much hotter in his younger days. Most of the posters I see of him show him when he was much older.
Young Einstein, who was, after all the Einstein who did all the physics we remember, had a very intriguing face:

http://www.einstein.ethz.ch/Einstein.jpg

There's always a look in his eyes in these younger pictures which I take to be barely contained amusement.
 
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