Scientist facts for kids
Scientist looking through a microscope at the NIH National Cancer Institute
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Occupation | |
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Names | Scientist |
Profession | |
Activity sectors
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Laboratory, field research |
Description | |
Competencies | Scientific research |
Education required
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Science |
Fields of
employment |
Academia, industry, government, nonprofit |
Related jobs
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Engineers |
A scientist is a person who studies or has expertise in science. A scientist tries to understand how our world, or other things, work. Scientists make observations, ask questions and do extensive research work in finding the answers to many questions others may not know about.
Scientists may work in laboratories for governments, companies, schools and research institutes. Some scientists teach at universities and other places and train people to become scientists. Scientists often make experiments to find out more about reality, and sometimes may repeat experiments or use control groups. Scientists who are doing applied science try to use scientific knowledge to improve the world.
Types of scientists
Scientists can work in different areas of science. Here are some examples:
- Scientists that study physics are physicists.
- Scientists that study chemistry are chemists.
- Scientists that study biology are biologists
- Scientists that study rocks are geologists
Images for kids
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"No one in the history of civilization has shaped our understanding of science and natural philosophy more than the great Greek philosopher and scientist Aristotle (384-322 BC), who exerted a profound and pervasive influence for more than two thousand years" —Gary B. Ferngren
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Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electrical battery and discoverer of methane, is widely regarded as one of the greatest scientists in history.
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Francesco Redi, referred to as the "father of modern parasitology", is the founder of experimental biology.
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Mary Somerville, for whom the word "scientist" was coined.
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Physicist Albert Einstein developed the general theory of relativity and made many substantial contributions to physics.
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Physicist Enrico Fermi is credited with the creation of the world's first atomic bomb and nuclear reactor.
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Atomic physicist Niels Bohr made fundamental contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum theory.
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Marine Biologist Rachel Carson launched the 20th century environmental movement.
See also
In Spanish: Científico para niños