This paper describes a research project that had two goals: (1) to design and develop a tool with which to investigate pupils' images of mathematicians; and (2) to use the device to compare those images held by lower secondary pupils (ages 12-13) in five countries. We report that with small cultural differences certain stereotypical images of mathematicians are common to pupils in all of these countries and these images indicate that for pupils of this age mathematicians and the work that they do are, for all practical purposes, invisible.

What images do your students have of mathematicians and mathematics? Finding out more about your students' images of mathematics can help you understand their attitudes toward, misconceptions about, and opinions of the subject. One way to discover these attitudes is to ask your students to create a drawing of a mathematician. You may be surprised at the results!

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