Scientists are real people
You don’t really look like a marine scientist. You kinda look like a surfer.
Riley Hathaway
These are Riley Hathaway’s first words when meeting marine ecologist Dr Tim Haggitt. Riley’s not alone in thinking scientists have a particular profile. Research shows that students often perceive scientists as eccentric older men who work alone. This perception makes it difficult for students to relate to scientists and may limit their engagement in science.
Working as an ecologist
Dr Candida Savage, from the University of Otago, has always loved the sea and knew from an early age she wanted to work in the marine environment. In this video, she talks about her role as an ecologist and what she enjoys about the job.
Point of interest
Think about why it’s important for ecologists (and other scientists) to collaborate.
A classroom visit by a scientist can make a big difference. After meeting scientists, students realise scientists are real people with whom they may share interests or hobbies. Students also discover that scientists work collaboratively to help solve local, relevant issues. That’s a big step away from the eccentric loner stereotype.
Seeing scientists as real people
Research shows that students are influenced by scientists’ passion for science, and this encourages them to make links with the scientists and to consider careers in science. It is not realistic for scientists to visit classrooms on a regular basis, but students can see them in action in other ways.
Riley Hathaway interviews experts in each of the Young Ocean Explorers episodes. The experts are also profiled in the Meet the Gurus pages in the book Love Our Ocean. For example, in addition to being a kelp expert, Riley finds that Dr Tim Haggitt (episode 8) likes punk rock music, was “pretty rubbish” at many school subjects and is scared by octopuses because “they’re way smarter than I’ll ever be and they enjoy stealing your pencil, datasheets and in some cases, dive mask”.
Dr Karen Stockin
Dr Karen Stockin, a marine mammal expert, undertakes a post-mortem examination.
Dr Karen Stockin, marine mammal expert (episode 7), likes being a scientist because every day is different. Her job at Massey University’s Auckland campus involves working with students, writing research papers, helping to free stranded whales and even doing post-mortems on dead marine mammals.
What makes someone a scientist?
One definition of the word scientist is “a person who is engaged in and has expert knowledge in science, especially a biological or physical science”. The gurus that feature in Young Ocean Explorers are certainly scientists, but what about Riley? Can children be scientists?
The research article We are scientists says, “Students not only need to learn the ‘what’ (concepts) of science but also ‘how’ to do the learning in science – how to think, question, search for evidence and put evidence together to make an argument that is acceptable in science.” In other words, students need to learn to work as scientists.
In each Young Ocean Explorers episode, Riley makes observations, asks questions and puts it all together to make statements about what she has discovered. So yes, children can be scientists. Like Dr Tim Haggitt, Riley doesn’t look like a scientist, but she does inspire others to enjoy and care for the worlds’ oceans – and that passion may well influence some students to become marine ecologists!
More on the Hub
Videos are a convenient way to bring scientists into classrooms. Read about the advantages of using videos in this short research brief.
Scientists talking to students through videos
These video clips show marine scientists at work and at play.
Becoming a marine scientist
What’s an ecologist?
Two marine scientists
Oliver Trottier and Jessica Feickert are both postgraduate research students at Leigh Marine Laboratory, but their background and interests are very different. In this video, Oliver and Jessica describe how they first became interested in marine science, what they like about life as a marine scientist and the other things that get them excited.
Teaching point:
Students could read the profiles of Oliver and Jessica after watching this clip.
Fiordland divers
A group of researchers prepare to go diving in Fiordland. Research carried out by scientists at the University of Otago contributed to the establishment of Fiordland’s marine reserves in 2005.
Nature of Science
Science as a solitary pursuit is one of several misconceptions about scientists. Scientists often work together and examine and share knowledge about their work.
Useful links
Go here to purchase a copy of the Young Ocean Explorers DVD and Love Our Ocean book.
Visit the new interactive Young Ocean Explorers website aimed at primary school students.
