I'm not a rac-ist, I'm a scient-ist

Before I begin, a little background:
2000: A group of 7th graders go on a field trip to a science lab. They are asked to draw and describe a stereotypical scientist before their trip and after.
March 2006: I discover the drawings these children did on the internet while researching national youth art month so I could immortalize the month in poem form.
Today: I finally get around to writing a blog about said drawings.

These glorious pictures are the result of a 7th grade field trip to the Fermi National Accelerator Lab in Batavia, Illinois. Apparently the Fermilab is an ideal place for beleagured middle school science teachers to take their students to visit when they've run out of lesson plans, as the lab grounds are open to the public and have a pond (that you can fish in!!), some physicists, and some roaming buffalo. The Fermilab also boasts the Tevatron which is a giant particle accelerator, and not, as I had orginally assumed, an ugly-sandal-robot. I wanted to share these kids' drawings and insights into the wonderful world of science since many of my friends and roommates are scientists, and I myself am a social (aka fake) scientist.

There are maaaaany pictures and descriptions on this site, so I shall share just two. For starters, here is Amanda's perceptions of a scientist. Before meeting physicists, Amanda commented that, "A scientist is in the Guinness Book of World Records. I see a scientist winning on Who Wants to be a Millionaire."

Okay so I think it's safe to say that Amanda is pretty impressed by scientists. Sure, I wouldn't have pointed out that scientists are in the Guinness book, but then again I'm not that impressed by the Guinness illuminati. I don't find it complimentary to be counted as being in the same company as the fat twins who ride motorcycles, that Indian dude with the long finger nail, and the MD day strawberry short cake. I mean, if I were Amanda I would have been more impressed by the fact that scientists appear to be so jaundiced that they can make their desks levitate, but since Amanda is probably 12, I'll cut her some slack.

So after Amanda met with physicists who work with one of the world's largest particle accelerators I assumed she'd only be more impressed. Here is her picture and her comments:


"...anyone can be a scientist. I saw people walking around in sweatpants and jeans. Who knows? Maybe I can be a scientist."

I guess the lab chose Randy, the lab's token sweatpants-wearing fat guy, to talk to the kids. The dynamic image of scientists as Guinness breaking go-getters surrounded by floating desks is gone. Now anyone, provided they wear jeans or sweatpants, can be a scientist. I also like how Amanda writes, "Who knows? Maybe I can be a scientist." For some reason I get the impression that she meant to write, "Who knows? If I can't find a real job or I get really fat, I guess I could be a scientist."

This last one comes from Jesse. Unlike Amanda, Jesse isn't completely blown away by scientists before the field trip. Here's his ho-hum description, "To me a scientist is a man who works hard in his lab examining liquid and chemicals. He has a long white coat open. He is fixing his glasses so he can see better. He has pockets full of pens and pencils." Sure he thinks they're hard working and they have tons of pencils, but I don't get the impression from this picture that Jesse particularly likes scientists. He doesn't even think that they're cool enough to be on Millionaire. Flash forward and witness the transformation.


Apparently, Jesse met Christ the scientist on his field trip. At least, that's the best explanation I can give for this weird picture of a glowing, floating Jesus figure surrounded by beakers, and... is that a fire extinguisher in the corner?? I guess even Christ is susceptible to chemical explosions. Jesse's description of scientists is classic: "Some people think that scientists are just some genius nerds in white lab coats, but they are actually people who are trying to live up to their dreams and learn more. No two scientists are exactly alike. So, if you want to be a scientist, be like these wonderful people and live up to your dreams." Well Jesse what if my dream is to convince people to stop eating at Coldstone? Would following that dream make me a scientist? I would make the argument that it would. Because after all, no two scientists are exactly alike -- just like snowflakes.

To all you fellow scientists out there-- how well do these kids' perceptions sync with your own experiences?