What is a "scientist": This year's Google Image search

At the start of classes every year, I do a Google image search for the word "scientist". Here are the top twenty results:

1. http://naturalpatriot.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/scientist.jpg
2. http://www.pendotech.com/images/mad_scientist.gif
3. http://www.clipartof.com/details/clipart/2703.html
   
4. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Mad_scientist_transparent_background.svg/641px-Mad_scientist_transparent_background.svg.png
5. http://www.yetiarts.com/aaron/comics/images/fiske/scientist.jpg
6. http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/philosophy/images/scientist.gif
7. http://www.y12.doe.gov/news/report/2_2/img/418704.jpg
8. http://www.expobio.com/images/scientist.jpg
9. http://blog.lib.umn.edu/zerot001/architecture/scientist.gif
10. http://www.epa.state.oh.us/pic/kids/scientist.jpg
11. http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2007/10/03/will-smith-scientist-legend.jpg
12. http://www.biosulf.org/1/images/ist2_2742347_scientist.jpg
13. http://www.civfanatics.net/~civrules/Article/Units/GreatScientist.jpg
14. http://www.madfoodscientists.rivner.info/Mad_scientist_caricature.png
15. http://www.lithoguru.com/images/gentleman_and_scientist.gif
16. http://www.ldesign.com/Images/Essays/GlobalWarming/Part3/scientist.jpg
17. http://scienceblogs.com/strangerfruit/post_tutorial_mad-scientist_2_470.jpg
18. http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/3-Rogue-Scientist-Jump-C.article.jpg
19. http://adsoftheworld.com/files/images/Coin-Operated-Scientist1.preview.jpg
20. http://globalmoxie.com/bm~pix/scientist~s600x600.png

There's a lot to work with in these images. Including, but not limited to, a lot of glasses, a lot of chemistry lab equipment, and a lot of wild hair. On the other hand, we have one woman and one black man! This is a big step for these Google searches.

And who is that black scientist? Here are two earlier portrayals of the same character:
http://www.millionmonkeytheater.com/moviepics2/lmemorgan.jpg
http://badazzmofo.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/heston-omega.jpg

Hello, science students!

I'm hoping that over the next week or so a few science students notice this class and decide to at least look into it further. I think that developing an understanding of just how science is presented and perceived outside of the scientific community is very important for science in general and for many scientists in particular.

A course like this can help improve a student's skills in three areas of importance.

1. Scientists and non-scientists are interested in reading about science. The better a scientists (or a science student thinking of going into popular science writing) knows about the ways that people absorb scientific content, the better they can target their own writing.

2. Scientists need to communicate in order to earn money for research and to keep their jobs. Often this means communicating with non-scientists about their work. This course offers students a chance to practise their skills in writing about science for a more general audience.

3. Simply advancing scientific research often requires communication with a large group of other scientists. Developing writing skills is important in reaching that audience.

I've had a lot of experience studying and reading about scientific topics and a lot of experience with writing and with teaching writing. I feel that if a science student wants to take an essay course, then I can give them their best shot. Hopefully some of you will be reading this and sign up for the course!