Proceedings  of the 2006 WEPAN National Conference

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Paper Title: Assessing Media Influences on Middle School-Aged Children's Perceptions of Women in Science and Engineering Using the Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST)     Authors: Jocelyn Steinke, Western Michigan University Maria Lapinski, Michigan State University Nikki Crocker, Western Michigan University Aletta Zietsman-Thomas, Western Michigan University Yaschica Williams, Northwest University in Potchefstroom Stephanie Higdon, Western Michigan University Sarvani Kuchibhotla, Western Michigan University       Abstract: Gender stereotypes in the mass media perpetuate traditional views of women that may influence children?s perceptions of the role of women in science, engineering, and technology (SET). This study used a randomized posttest only control group design to determine the efficacy of media literacy training on middle school-aged children?s perceptions of scientists. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: discussion, discussion plus viewing of videos of television and film clips that featured images of women, or a control. A total of 304 seventh-grade students from three middle schools in the Midwest were asked to complete the Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST) and to write down the source of information for their drawings. Across conditions, boys were more likely than girls to draw male scientists than female scientists, and girls were more likely than boys to draw female scientists than male scientists. Boys also were more likely than girls to depict other stereotypes of scientists in their drawings. The implications of the findings will be discussed as related to future research on the potential influence of media models on middle school-aged children?s perceptions of scientists and the use of media literacy training as an intervention for changing perceptions of gender and science.