Pygmalion in the Elementary Science Classroom, Investigating Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions of Science and Science Teaching

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: Division K - Section 09: Initial Teacher and Teacher Educator Preparation Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

This study focuses on elementary preservice teachers’ views on science and science teaching. First, the preservice teachers utilized an objective stance in order to draw and explain a picture of a typical scientist. Next, they assumed an imaginative stance to draw and explain a portrait of themselves as a scientist. Third, the preservice teachers utilized a predictive stance to draw and describe themselves as a science teacher. The preservice teachers’ drawings of a scientist revealed traditional, stereotypical views of scientists. Conversely, most of the stereotypical attributes were omitted from the scientist self-portraits. The preservice teachers’ images of themselves as science teachers contained both stereotypical and authentic science attributes. The results and the practical implications of this research will be discussed.

Authors

• Austin Manning Hitt, Coastal Carolina University

• Catherine Scott, Coastal Carolina University