“The Way I Think About Scientists Has Changed”
The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of virtual, discussion-based interactions with five scientists on middle school students' (N=48) perceptions of scientists. Based on students' self-reflections and results from Enhanced-Drawings of Scientists Test (E-DAST), the week of virtual discussion-based interactions broadened students' perceptions of what scientists do (activity), where scientists work (location), and what scientists look like (appearance). The virtual discussion-based experiences had the most significant impact on middle school students' perceptions of the work scientists do (activity). As this important finding demonstrates—through middle school students' own words—students' perceptions of the appearance and location of scientists may be ‘gatekeepers' or secondary to the their ideas of what scientists do for activities. In other words, until students can ‘get past' or debunk the stereotype of what scientists look like (appearance) and where they work (location), students may not truly understand the work scientists do (activity).