Children's Perceptions about Science, Scientists and Scientific Activity

과학, 과학자 및 과학활동에 대한 유아의 인식

This study examined young Korean children's perceptions about scientists, kindergarten science and the application of science in their daily lives. An interview questionnaire developed by the researchers and based on Chamber (1983)'s Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST), was administered to 104 five-year-old children. Most of the children (68.2%) saw themselves doing activity-oriented science in kindergarten, but they did not use outside kindergarten for the knowledge and skills they learn in science (70.4%). In general, children recognized scientist as a male working with lab equipment in the laboratory. Although most of children (74.5%) were interested in science, only a few of them (12.5%) hoped to be a scientist in the future. There were significant differences attributable to gender in preference for science; girls showed more interest in science than boys.