A scientist just like me

A Scientist Just Like Me is designed to raise awareness of diversity in science-related jobs and to provide illustrated examples of a wide range of science-based careers. It consists of a series of short slideshows, each one ‘telling the story’ of a particular scientist or person working in a science-related job. The people included share details of their work and their everyday lives, making their stories relatable to children. They describe their job, what they like about it, and the challenges they have faced on their career journeys.

The resources focus on the skills, attitudes and habits that are needed to carry out the work, rather than on any expert knowledge, which may be daunting or seem out of reach to children. At the end of each slideshow, the children are encouraged to imagine and discuss what it might be like to do that job.

The slideshows are intended to be used as discussion prompts, guided by a teacher. They can be used in different ways and for different purposes, for example,

• to show children an example of someone from a particular ethnic background working in a science job
• to challenge gender stereotypes about science jobs
• as part of a science topic that relates to the work of the scientist
• as stand-alone fifteen minute discussion activities
• with a small group or the whole class, or in a whole school assembly

Where appropriate, the final slide includes suggestions about possible linked resources that teachers may find useful.

The whole set of slideshows includes people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, and from many different fields of science.

Using the search filter (+ FILTER RESOURCES) a slideshow can be selected on the basis of:

• Job Type
  
• Gender
  
• Ethnic heritage
• LGBTQ+
  
• Disability
• STEM Ambassador
  

Alternatively, you can browse the different primary science topics below this to see job-related slideshows.

The A Scientist Just Like Me resource was created by PSTT Fellows, Kulvinder Johal, Alison Trew and Ali Eley during 2021.

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to all the scientists featured in this resource; we thank them for their time, for sharing their information, and most of all for the enthusiasm and commitment to the aims of the resource.

Development of new slideshows - how to get involved

If you work in a science related career (or know someone else who does) and would like to be included in the resources, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Kulvinder Johal on kulvinder.johal@pstt.org.uk or get in touch via the PSTT office on info@pstt.org.uk.

Safety Notice and Disclaimer

The PSTT advises teachers to refer to either the CLEAPSS website or SSERC website for up to date health and safety information when planning practical activities for children.

The PSTT is not liable for the actions or activities of any reader or anyone else who uses the information in these resource pages or the associated classroom materials. The PSTT assumes no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information contained in these resources. The PSTT recommends that a full risk assessment is carried out before undertaking in the classroom any of the practical investigations contained in the resources.

All materials are ©Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) and are freely available to download and share for educational purposes. Whilst educators are free to adapt the resources to suit their own needs, acknowledgement of copyright on all original materials must be included. Rights to images included in the resource have been purchased for PSTT use only – as such, these images may only be used as part of this resource and may not copied into or used in other materials.