Images of Scientists and Views About Scientists Among Gifted 4th-Grade Primary School Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20012628Abstract
This study aimed to examine the images of scientists and views about scientists held by gifted students enrolled in the 4th grade of primary school. A concurrent mixed-methods design was employed. The quantitative component utilized a single-group pretest–posttest quasi-experimental design, while the qualitative component followed a case study approach. The study group consisted of 30 fourth-grade gifted students attending a Science and Art Center (BİLSEM). The “Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST)” and a semi-structured interview form were used as data collection tools. Over a period of ten weeks, students participated in various activities focusing on scientists. Before the intervention and at the end of the ten-week process, data were collected using the same measurement tools. Quantitative data were presented using frequency and percentage tables, and qualitative data were analyzed through descriptive analysis. To ensure reliability, two expert researchers, a classroom teacher, and an art teacher independently analyzed the data, and the results were compared. Findings revealed that students participating in science-related activities demonstrated changes in certain aspects of their scientist images (such as clothing, accessories, working environments, and perceived age). However, perceptions regarding hair, research tools, facial expressions, and gender largely remained the same. Furthermore, many students’ views about scientists changed following the activities.
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