Abstract:

We performed an analysis of the perceived image of science and scientists over drawings made by Italian primary school children in 2011 and 2021 for INGV calendar competitions.The present study represents a first comparison of childern drawings of scientists set apart by ten years.
Drawings were coded and statistically analyzed focusing on the presence of stereotypes and the possible different image that girls and boys have of science and the scientist’s image. We present and compare the results of the two datasets, highlighting differences, similarities, and convergences, with particular attention to those of gender and whether this perception has changed over time. Furthermore, the results contribute to evaluate how science showed itself over ten years, if it has led to an effective shared science and a less stereotyped image, also encouraging gender equality. From the data, even if the scientist is still generally a man, we outlined a significant increase in female scientists in the 2021 dataset. Female scientists are drawn by girls, a sign that they raise a sense of belonging and their potential to be a scientist.
Through the children’s drawings we had the great privilege of having a glance of their amazing world. What emerges is a colorful and busy world, full of young scientists, confident in the power of science and technology, engaged in inventing devices to make us happy, to travel in space and time and to solve the Earth’s problems. A generally positive picture of the work of scientists arise, as well as a growing level of confidence in the potential of science, perceived as a powerful tool capable of handling humanity's continuous challenges. In fact, environmental themes show an increase in the years. This result might be a clear sign of a significant positive implementation over the years of awareness in the new generation of climate change.

Keywords:

Children drawings, perception of science, gender divergence, statistical analysis, science stereotype.