The purpose of this synthesis study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST) and its variations across multiple studies, aiming to understand limitations and propose modifications for future application within and beyond the science domain. Given the existence of multiple DAST versions, this study quantified…

This study sought to determine what undergraduate science students envision when asked to picture a scientist at work. Stereotypical understandings of who becomes a scientist and what the work involves may deter young people from STEM careers. The Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST) and variations have been used over 40 years to explore student…

In this paper, I discuss how Walls employs color-blind ideology, a critical race theory (CRT) tenet to analyze the role of race in the draw-a-scientist (DAST) literature. Walls' article, "A critical race theory analysis of the draw-a-scientist test: Are they really that white?" exposes how omitting race in DAST research leads to…

This study aimed to explore how preschoolers perceive engineers and engineering by using their drawings. For this aim, phenomenography was used as a research approach. The data were collected using the draw-and-tell technique and through the drawing and explanation related parts of the Draw an Engineer Test. Totally, 436 preschool children from 16…

Background: Many survey studies conducted in different countries have reported that students had stereotypical images of scientists, such as being male, old, bald, wearing eyeglasses, and working in laboratories. There are also intervention studies to introduce real scientists and change students' stereotypical image of scientists. The current…

In science education, learners' conceptions of scientists and their work are often assessed by the Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST). Due to validity concerns, methodical literature demands the development of alternative instruments to measure learners' conceptions validly and efficiently. This study presents an instrument with 29 rating scale items to…

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined recent articles that have used the 1995 Draw-A-Scientist Checklist (DAST-C). This study was focused on the current state of students' stereotypes of scientists and the appropriateness of the DAST-C as a tool to assess these perceptions. Articles included in the review were published between 2003…

Studies suggest that the lack of diversity in the science workforce may be partially attributed to implicit bias. Collectively, implicit biases are ingrained among youth from their upbringing, culture, and media, which are subsequently reflected in their language choices. Reform efforts made in post-secondary science education have targeted…

Various studies have reported that students have limited, stereotypical perceptions of STEM fields. However, few studies have attempted to evaluate interventions undertaken with the aim of changing female student's perceptions of STEM professions. This research aimed to examine the changes in mental images among female students as a result of…

Background: Several studies have reported that inservice and preservice teachers hold narrow and stereotypical perceptions of engineer and engineering. However, only a few studies attempted to examine interventions which improve their perceptions. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the preservice science teachers' (PSTs) perceptions of engineer…

The investigation of students' images of scientists and their work is of interest to researchers due to the widely held belief that the students' perceptions are important preliminary indications for the future academic and professional choices. This study explored the images of 218 Peruvian high school students about scientists and their work…

The gender gap in science education has been a persistent topic of research and initiatives designed to narrow the gap have been successful within specific domains. However, although the gender gap is continuing to decrease, equity and equal representation are still lacking in some domains. Self-efficacy levels, interest levels, attitudes, and…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the meanings assigned by pre-service teachers to the wastepaper basket and waste (crumpled) papers in their drawings of a scientist. The study was carried out with 220 pre-service teachers during the 2015-2016 academic years. A phenomenological research method was used. First, the pre-service teachers…

This meta-analysis, spanning 5 decades of Draw-A-Scientist studies, examined U.S. children's gender-science stereotypes linking science with men. These stereotypes should have weakened over time because women's representation in science has risen substantially in the United States, and mass media increasingly depict female scientists. Based on 78…

The present study aims to examine the perceptions towards scientists and science/pseudoscience distinctions of gifted education and elementary education teacher candidates who will educate gifted students especially at the elementary education level. A total of 92 volunteer prospective teachers, composed of candidates from gifted education and…