The image of scientists among pre-service classroom and child education teachers in Jordan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was three-fold: first, to investigate the image of scientists held by prospective teachers with respect to academic levels (1st year and 4th year); second, to identify sources of their image; third, to identify the most influential scientists from their point of view. The sample consisted of 140 pre-service classroom and child education teachers enrolled at University of Petra, Jordan. A questionnaire, the Draw-a- Scientist Test (DAST) and a number of closed- and open-ended questions were used to collect data. Results of this study showed that participants had a balanced image of scientists, offering a positive image of scientists with regard to cognitive characteristics such as intelligence and a rather negative image in affective characteristics such as religion. Results also showed that participants saw the scientist as an elderly male with unkempt hair, and working in a lab. The 4th year students demonstrated a more stereotypical image compared to 1st year students. Findings showed that the substantial sources of their images were the following: Internet, science stories, academic texts, and teachers. The results also showed that 65.7% of participants indicated the absence of scientists in Jordan and that the most influential scientists were Einstein, Newton, Edison and Ibn- Sina.