Students who are interested in aesthetics, ethics and social responsibility of science are not likely to find their priorities satisfied in the science texts and teaching. Mad scientist We should all be alarmed by the drawings young people produce when they draw a 'typical scientist' and write about what they do. They are often evil or mad. In our part of the world there are hardly any young people who hint that scientists do anything good for others or for society. Very few write that they are good, helpful or kind.
Children describe their image of scientists also through responses to questionnaires.
Scientists are assigned 'positive' traits such as being intelligent, accurate and hard working. What is worse is that they are regarded as selfish, boring, unimaginative and authoritarian, particularly the physicists and engineers. What is also alarming is that students' stereotypical image of scientists becomes clearer as they get older and the longer they are exposed to science subjects inside and outside school. Interestingly enough, the above image of the cold and selfish scientist is found mainly among children in the richer countries. In the developing countries, the scientists are perceived to be heroes and helpers, working to improve life for their fellow human beings.