Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST)
The Draw-a-Scientist Test is an open-ended projective test that assesses children's conceptual images of scientists. The DAST is evaluated using a 7-point scale based on the presence of the following components in drawing: lab coat, eyeglasses, facial growth of hair, symbols of research, symbols of knowledge, technology & relevant captions.
Average Review: 
(2.9)
by anonymous,
Program Director, After School, Trinity School,
What does having facial hair have to do with a young child's perception of a scientist?read entire review ...
by anonymous,
student, Harvard, 
This is a really interesting approach to assessing understanding of science as a profession and as an identity. I wonder if the researchers have considered including a narrative section in which children could describe what their scientist character is doing…read entire review ...
by Katherine Heck,
Specialist, UC Davis, 
One issue I've wondered about with respect to the DAST is whether it is measuring perceptions of scientists, or rather measuring media portrayals of scientists. The perception of what scientists look like must largely come from the media depictions of…read entire review ...
by anonymous,
Specialist in CE, ,
I agree with Katherine Heck's thoughts that media may influence children's perceptions of scientists; however, such perceptions may have an influence on their thinking and thus flavor their interest in science as a course of study or as a career.…read entire review ...
by Kit Klein,
Principal, Klein Consulting,
I agree that media plays a huge role in perceptions. I think the best use of this tool is as a pre and post measure with a high degree of inter-rater agreement. When a program strives to change perceptions of…read entire review ...
by anonymous,
Assistant Director, Bedford Recreation Kids' Club,
This is a very good tool to start off the school year and to start off discussions about the world of science. I thought the data was somewhat revealing, but there is a potential of it being misleading. Because there…read entire review ...
by anonymous,
Director, Multimedia Research, 
Multimedia Research used a slightly modified DAST test in a summative evaluation of a children's science radio series, Kinetic City Super Crew, published in Educational Technology Research and Development, 42(3). The measure was included as a non-verbal assessment of attitude…read entire review ...
by anonymous,
Youth Development Advisor, University of California,
While the Draw a Scientist tool is a popular tool used in several of our programs, I have never seen the scoring grid that goes along with it, and feel that in order to fully utilize the tool with its…read entire review ...
by anonymous,
Science Professional Development Teacher, San Joaquin County Office of Education,
Having taught kindergarten for 36 years, I have a lot of experience with very young children. We used a "draw-a-man" test to evaluate entering kindergarten children each year. Many of the children had never done representative drawing and we were…read entire review ...
by V. Nelson,
teacher, Charles F. Tigard Elementary School,
For very young children the lure of science is the "Wow!" feature: Mentos explosions, inflated balloons deflating as they race along a cord, submerging paper crumpled into the bottom of an inverted cup without getting it wet. Thus hooked on…read entire review ...
by anonymous,
Front Range STEM Specialist, Colorado State Univeristy,
I am certainly intrigued by the concept. In one of the program our organization facilitates, youth also draw about the concepts that they learned from the program. From this method of evaluation two concerns come to mind. First of all,…read entire review ...