"Science in Tales": Analysis of the images of scientist in young people's fictional literature

Abstract: In the research field on the "images of scientists" that appear in fictional literature, we focus on a set of tales produced by students of secondary school. Our aim is to connect some traits of the stereotypical scientist that appear in those texts with the traits underlying other cultural productions, since those productions may constitute the probable source of the stereotype. Many common representations of the scientist emerge from an image of science that is inadequate from the point of view of science teaching. It correlates to a lack of interest towards science courses. This lack of interest would contribute to stagnation in the number of students pursuing science and technology careers in Ibero-America in general and especially in Argentina.