The present study aims to determine the perceptions of 5-6 year-old children attending preschool education about scientists. The study conducted in design of phenomenology from qualitative research method, and the data were collected with the pictures drawn by children. Crayons and drawing papers were distributed to the children participating in the study and they were asked to draw a picture of a scientist. After the children completed their pictures, they were asked to briefly describe the pictures. The data of the study were analyzed by using a checklist designed by the researcher for 5-6 year-old children based on Draw A Scientist Checklist. As a result of the study, the children generally perceived the scientists as people who work in the laboratory, use various test materials, conduct or think experiments, mostly have glasses, are both male and female, but mostly as a male, and have mostly a positive character. In the light of these results, it has been seen that the unchanging perceptions towards the scientist have developed in the preschool period and it has been suggested to include activities that investigate different aspects of science to create different perceptions in children.

Scientist, Children, Draw, Preschool Education, Phenomenological, Qualitative research