title: Spiderman and science: How students' perceptions of scientists are shaped by popular media.
abstract: This study addresses the influence of popular media on how young children perceive science and the work of scientists. Using an adapted version of the Draw-A-Scientist Test, 15 classes of fourth graders (9-10 years old) at three different schools in Singapore were sampled ( n =  266). The students' drawings as well as their identification of three sources from which they obtained inspiration for their drawings were analyzed. Our results showed a strong relationship between students' drawings of scientists and their reported sources of inspiration. The results suggest that popular media play a large role in shaping how young children view scientists.
authors.affiliation: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: Aik-Ling
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jennifer Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jocz
authors.affiliation: Zhejiang University, China.
authors.forename: Junqing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhai
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D010465:Perception; D011639:Public Opinion; D012586:Science; D012846:Singapore; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: drawing; image of scientists; learning of science; popular media