Turkish Young Children's Views on Science and Scientists

The purpose of the study was to investigate 3rd grade primary students' views on science and scientists. The sample was consisted of 254 3rd grade public school students, in Mersin. Primary students were asked to answer three basic questions; 1) What is science? 2) Who does science? 3) How science is done? Primary students were requested answers written, and gave a choice if they want draw a picture for these questions. This study is exploratory in nature. The qualitative approach data collection methods were applied. In this study, the analyses of documents were separated in two main parts. First one is written responses for the three questions. The second is students' pictures, which primary students draw on the page. For the analysis of stereotypic features of students' drawings Chambers' DAST score card was used. Results were discussed according to national and international related literature. At the national level 3rd grade students had less stereotype images of scientists than upper classes. At the international level Turkish primary students' perceptions/views science and scientists are more realistic than other countries. Undoubted, these positive perceptions and views affect their attitudes toward science and scientist.