Activity Description :

Students complete a before/after 'Draw a Scientist' lab-coat activity, using Phil Sharp's path in Cracking the Code — rural Kentucky, undiagnosed dyslexia, a cold letter to Nobel laureate James Watson — to surface and revise their assumptions about who scientists are. A follow-up Iceberg activity has students name a personal strength school doesn't reward, modeled on how Sharp's dyslexia helped him find RNA splicing. Scaffolded sentence frames and a full answer key are included.

ACTIVITY TYPE(S) : Worksheet, Discussion

DURATION :

Two 45–50 min periods (~90–100 min total)

SUBJECT AREAS : AP Biology and Biotechnology Pathways 

KEY CONCEPTS :

- Diversity in scientific ideas and thinkers
- Science identity
- Implicit bias in STEM
- Access & opportunity
- Neurodivergent strengths
- Mentorship and "who gets credit"
- Assets-based reframing
- Role of science in community and society

LEARNING OBJECTIVES :

1. Surface and revise personal assumptions about who scientists are and what they look like.
2. Identify specific access, timing, and relationship factors that shaped a real scientist's path.
3. Name a personal strength that isn't rewarded by school but could be an asset in a research setting.

BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED : None required — entry-level; no prior RNA splicing or biotech content knowledge needed since the film segment provides the context.

STANDARDS ALIGNMENT : 

NGSS SEP: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information.
NGSS Appendix D. SEPs (Grades 3-5):  "Combine information in written text with that contained in corresponding tables, diagrams,
and/or charts to support the engagement in other scientific and/or engineering practices." (Grades 9-12) "Communicate scientific and/or technical information or ideas in multiple formats."

NGSS Nature of Science: "Science is a human endeavor."
NGSS Appendix H: Understanding the Scientific Enterprise - "Scientific knowledge is a result of human endeavor, imagination, and
creativity." "Individuals and teams from many nations and cultures have contributed to science and to advances in engineering." "Scientists’ backgrounds, theoretical commitments, and fields of endeavor influence the nature of their findings."

NGSS Appendix D: All Standards, All Students. “Science teachers need to acquire effective strategies to include all students regardless of racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and gender backgrounds.”

AP Biology Essential Knowledge 6.6.B.2:  Certain small RNA molecules have roles in regulating gene expression (ties to the RNA splicing story used in the Iceberg activity).

Activity Resources :​