This document discusses how images and perceptions of scientists can be misleading. It provides activities for students to explore the diversity of scientists by creating a collage of pictures related to science from magazines, drawing a scientist, reading about real scientists from around the world, and finding science stories in the newspaper. The goal is to show that science involves many types of people in different settings and occupations, not just the stereotypical image of a lone male scientist in a lab coat.

1. Images of Science

2. 4.1.1
Observe and describe that scientific
investigations generally work the same
way in different places.
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3. Definition
Collage: a creative work, made of
various materials, and glued onto a
surface

4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The image of science that most students think of
when asked to describe a scientist portrays a
bearded man, wearing a white lab coat, working
alone in a laboratory. Although, this image is far from
the truth!! Science involves many different types of
men AND women, pursuing different sciences, and
working in different places. Some scientists use
huge instruments, while others use only notebooks
and pencils. Most importantly, performing science
involves more than “scientists,” and there are many
different occupations that are part of the scientific
enterprise.

5. Brainstorming
Describe the “science” behind each of
the following pictures:

6. Development
 Look at the magazines provided for
pictures that are related to science
 Cut out the pictures and paste them onto
a blank piece of paper
 Create a title for your collage

7. Questions:
 Why did you select the pictures you
used?
 Look at the other collages. Compare
your selections with those of the other
students.
 What does your selection say about how
you think of science?

8. Draw a Scientist
 Create a mental picture of what you think
a scientist looks like.
 Draw a picture of that scientist at work.

9. Questions:
 Did you draw a male or female scientist?
 Describe the setting in which your
scientist is working.
 What kind of work is he or she doing?
 Compare your pictures with those of the
other students. Were the pictures similar
or different?

10. Reading
 Read a few of the print-outs about
diverse scientists around the world.
 After reading, decide whether what you
have read has changed your thinking
about what a scientist looks like.

11. SCIENCE in the News!!
 Examine the newspapers provided and
look for stories that are related to
science.
 These stories could be about health,
medicine, new technology, weather, or
space exploration, to name a few.
 Select 3 different stories to share.

12. Questions:
 Why did you select the articles you
used?
 How easy was it to find stories about
science?
 Which science or health topics were
easiest to find? Which were hardest?
 Are any science experts quoted in the
story? If so, what did they say?

13. Assessment
 Write a paragraph supporting the
following statement:
“Doing science involves many different
kinds of work and engages men and
women of all ages and backgrounds.”