Abstract
This study examined elementary and middle school students' images of science and scientists, with an analysis of how those images may be influenced by science textbooks currently in use in Taiwan. A modified Chambers' Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST) was administered to a total 289 students from grades 1, 3, 5 and 8. Results showed that upper-grade students drew more indicators (i.e., lab coats, eyeglasses, facial features, research and knowledge symbols, and relevant captions) than did lower-grade students. An analysis of individual drawings revealed an increase in sophistication and complexity according to progressively higher grade levels. It was found that students very often drew images strikingly similar to what their science textbook presented. It implicated that our current science textbooks indeed have some degree of influence on students' image of science and scientists.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Basalla, G. (1976). Pop science: the depiction of science in popular culture. In G. Holton and W. Blanpied (eds.),Science and its Public, D. Reidel, Dordrecht, Holland.
Boylan, C. R., Hill, D. M., Wallace, A. R., and Wheeler, A. E. (1992). Beyond stereotypes.Science Education 76: 465–476.
Chambers, D. W. (1983). Stereotypic images of the scientists: The draw-a-scientist test.Science Education 67: 255–265.
Harms, N. D., and Yager, R. E. (1981).What Research Says to the Science Teacher. National Science Teachers Association, Washington, D.C.
Kahle, J. B. (1993). Images of scientists: Genders issues in science classroom. In Fraser, J. B. (Ed.),Research Implications for Science and Mathematics Teachers, Vol 1. Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia.
Kahle, J. B. (1987). SCORES: A project for change?International Journal of Science Education 9: 325–333.
Krajkovich, J. G., and Smith, J. K. (1982). The development of the image of science and scientists scale.Journal of Research in Science Teaching 19: 39–44.
Mead, M., and Metraus, R. (1957). Image of the scientist among high-school students: A pilot study.Science 126: 384–390.
Maoldomhnaigh, M., and Hunt, A. (1988). Some factors affecting the image of the scientists drawn by older primary school pupils.Research in Science and Technological Education 6: 159–166.
Rosser, S. V. (1990).Female Friendly Science. Pergamon Press, New York.
Raizen, S. A., and Jones, L. V. (1985).Indicators of Precollege Education in Science and Mathematics. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.
Schibeci, R. A. (1986). Images of science and scientists and science education.Science Education 70: 139–149.
Schibeci, R. A., and Sorensen, I. (1983). Elementary school children's perceptions of scientists.School Science and Mathematics 83: 15–21.
Sjoberg, S. (1993). Gender equality in science classrooms. In Fraser, J. B. (ed.),Research Implications for Science and Mathematics Teachers, Vol. 1. Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia.
Stake, R. E. and Easley, J. A. (1978).Case Studies in Science Education. Center for Instructional Research and Curriculum Evaluation, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.
Yore, L. D., and Denning, D. (1989).Implementing change in secondary science reading and textbook usage: A desired image, a current profile and a plan for change. Paper presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, San Francisco, California.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
She, HC. Elementary and middle school students' image of science and scientists related to current science textbooks in Taiwan. J Sci Educ Technol 4, 283–294 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211260
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211260