Fermilab offers some drawing of scientists by seventh graders before and after a visit to Fermilab. Wonderful visuals.

Before	After
I think of a scientist as very dedicated to his work. He is kind of crazy, talking always quickly. He constantly is getting new ideas. He is always asking questions and can be annoying. He listens to others’ ideas and questions them.	I know scientists are just normal people with a not so normal job. . . . Scientists lead a normal life outside of being a scientist. They are interested in dancing, pottery, jogging and even racquetball. Being a scientist is just another job which can be much more exciting.
by Amy

This is one of the more extreme ones but there are lots of other great comparisons. Very reminiscent of: Children’s view of Scientists in England.

Related: Scientists and Students - Kids in the Lab: Getting High-Schoolers Hooked on Science - Curious Cat Science and Engineering Search - Saving Fermilab - Matter to Anti-Matter 3 Trillion Times a Second

3 Responses to “Kids on Scientists: Before and After”

1. benny Says:
   September 4th, 2008 at 2:32 pm

   Thats why were children… to learn and to change our point of view.

2. Anonymous Says:
   September 5th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

   No more stereotyping and that’s one huge make over lol From a nerdy scientist to an attractive happy lady

3. Erik Says:
   November 27th, 2008 at 8:53 am

   Scientists could be the one who bring us a better life. Many inventions from them are helping us to master our life by illness (like medicine). Children do not understand what scientists are doing but I am quite sure they are fascinated from them because they do thing what they never have seen before. It is up to the scientists that they explain in way which also a child can understand what they are doing. Then you can be sure this child want to be also a scientist when it is grown up

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