Eye on Extension: Representation matters for kids in science

VALLEY — When you read the word “scientist” what picture pops up in your mind? A person in a white coat? Someone in a lab surrounded by beakers and microscopes? Does your imagined scientist happen to be male or female?

Chances are if you asked a kid this question, the scientist would be a man. According to a study in the most recent issue of Child Development, when kids are asked to draw a picture of a scientist, they overwhelmingly draw a man.

The good news is this is slowly changing. When the study was started in 1966, fewer than 1 in 100 kids would draw a female scientist. In recent years, that number has improved to 1 in 3 kids.

Though we have a long way to go, seeing this change is pretty encouraging! It likely results from more women becoming scientists, and more female scientists, real and fictional, showing up in the media over the past few decades. As girls see these positive role models in the sciences, they can more easily see themselves in similar roles in the future.

This idea, of seeing yourselves represented in different fields is really important to youth. Kids are at risk of falling prey to stereotypes of what people who do different jobs or activities look like. These stereotypes can be really powerful. They can discourage kids from going into areas that might interest them because they might feel erroneously that those areas aren’t for them.

Stereotypes about scientists have left the science fields with an underrepresentation of women and people of color. The good news is, we can actively work to combat these stereotypes by providing or celebrating diverse role models and challenging the status quo.

There are tons of amazing, diverse women currently in the sciences. Take some time with your kids to investigate some of these outstanding women through books, film and internet research.

Read about Temple Grandin, autism advocate and animal scientist, who helped revolutionize the livestock industry. Watch the film Hidden Figures to learn about the many African-American scientists and mathematicians, like Katherine Johnson, who helped put Americans into space. Look up electrical engineer Ellen Ochoa, the first female Hispanic astronaut and current director of the Johnson Space Center. Investigate Jane Goodall, the famous primatologist, who changed the way we look at chimpanzees, and ourselves.

Besides looking for high profile role models, we can also look closer to home at local teachers, researchers, and policy makers. If you’re a woman or person of color in the sciences, I encourage you to step up and be a role model for youth in whatever way you can.

Consider volunteering your time to support organizations like the SLV Regional Science Fair, Scouts, and 4-H, where kids apply the sciences through different projects. Or serve as a mentor for students at a local school or youth-serving organization. Invite youth to come see you at work or bring your work to them to help spark their interest.

Besides positive role models, the other key component for keeping kids engaged and interested in the sciences is positive reinforcement. Be a cheerleader for your kids as they explore their interests and find successes and failures.

Encourage kids to step out of stereotypes and try something new. Take that rocketry class at the Alamosa Rec Center. Check out RoboRAVE Colorado robotics contest at Monte Vista High School. Sign up for STEM Saturdays events at Adams State. There are tons of cool opportunities available locally. You just need to know where to look.

If you hear your kids, or kids you know spouting stereotypes like “girls aren’t good at math”, challenge them to investigate their claims. Some internet sleuthing can result in some eye opening surprises for kids. The facts can help bust myths about who belongs in the sciences and help kids see more possibilities in their futures.

Amy Henschen is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Colorado State University Extension. To find out more about Extension and the 4-H program visit http://sanluisvalley.colostate.edu or call 719-852-7381. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.