The Universe At Your Fingertips Activity: Picture an Astronomer

 

Introduction

Activity Description

Goals and Tips

Preparation

Extending the Activity

Astro-Kids Puzzle

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Introduction

The media and our past experiences have shaped and created our expectations of people in various careers. Astronomers are often typecast as middle-aged, white, "nerdy" males by students and adults alike. However, astronomy is carried out by men and women in every country and by people young and old. This activity is a wonderful way to call attention to, and discuss, our preconceptions about who "can" be an astronomer.

(c) This activity was written by Alan Friedman (New York Hall of Science) and Andrew Fraknoi (Foothill College).
Copyright © 1995, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112. This activity may be reproduced for nonprofit purposes.

Activity Description

Before an astronomy unit or the first visit by an astronomer to your classroom, it can be instructive to have the students picture what an astronomer looks like and then discuss their assumptions. You might begin by reading them the following paragraph:

Close your eyes and picture this scene. It is the end of a long night at the observatory and the astronomer is closing up as the first rays of dawn are seen on the horizon. The astronomer is tired and ready for a good day's sleep. Now focus in on the astronomer, coming toward you on the road that comes from the observatory. Get a good close look at the astronomer, rubbing tired eyes. Draw a picture (or for older students - get a clear mental image) of what the astronomer looks like.

Note that this paragraph carefully omits any hint about the gender, age, or race of the astronomer. After students have made their own picture (as elaborately or as simply as time allows), have them compare and discuss the different pictures they came up with. In the past, there has been a tendency for participants of all ages to draw scientists as middle-aged white men. If your students also show such a tendency, this gives you an opportunity to discuss who became an astronomer in the past, and how the opportunities have expanded today and some (but by no means all) of the societal barriers have fallen.

Goals and Tips

1. Help students look at their assumptions and stereotypes about who might be an astronomer.

2. Encourage class discussion about scientists.

Tips and Suggestions

• This is an excellent activity to start any unit on astronomy, at any grade level. The activity can be revisited at the end of a unit to investigate whether students have begun to change their views.
• One way to help dispel the myth that astronomy is the domain of a particular gender, age, or culture is to present videos, books and activities that include women and minorities as equal contributors to the science of astronomy. Some references are included in the Women in Astronomy bibliography.

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