Perspectives Through the Eyes of Primary School Students: A Visual Journey

Starting in 2005, the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), initiated a project involving the creation of calendars designed for schools, featuring drawings from a contest for primary school children. Each year, schools eagerly participate by submitting pupils' drawings on specific themes, which vary annually and align with Earth science subjects. Engaging primary school children in this project serves a dual purpose: it brings them closer to science and provides an opportunity to explore their perspectives on the Earth, science, the environment, and sustainable behavior. In fact, children's artwork can offer valuable insights into their feelings and thoughts about the world and its workings. Drawing plays a crucial role in children's development, as it fosters imagination and serves as an effective means of expressing emotions. Over the years, we have collected more than 35,000 drawings. We have decided to analyze this extensive and unique dataset by comparing drawings related to competitions with similar and comparable main topics, such as children's perceptions of science, scientists, and their views on the Planet Earth, its sustainability, and its future. The methodology involves a qualitative and statistical analysis of the drawings, representing the first comprehensive comparison of drawings created by primary school children across the entire Italian territory. This spans a decade or more, providing insights into how children's visions of Earth science subjects have evolved over time. Furthermore, the results contribute to evaluating how science is portrayed, assessing whether it has fostered a shared understanding and a less stereotyped image. Additionally, we aim to examine how environmental science and sustainable behavior are conveyed to the future leaders of the world.