Draw Yourself as a Scientist: Labeled Feature Prompts and Checklist

Object Drawing Lessons

This lesson teaches a focused self-portrait in role: you draw yourself as a scientist, then label the scientist-specific features you chose. The goal is not a perfect portrait or a career essay. The goal is a clear drawing that shows you in a scientist role with at least three recognizable scientist attributes, each supported by a short label. You will use a simple convention for labels and a checklist so the drawing can be checked fairly. Because letter styles and proportions vary, the rubric rewards clear communication and valid alternatives rather than one universal look.

Practice materials: Printable downloads are not available for this lesson yet. Use the instructions and four exercises below.

Set up the self-portrait frame and label convention

Draw a rectangle on your page to act as the self-portrait frame. Inside it, sketch yourself from the waist up so there is room for a lab coat, hands, and one tool. Keep the face simple: head shape, hair or head covering, eyes, nose, mouth. You do not need shading or realistic anatomy.

Use a label convention: each label is a short word or phrase placed outside the frame, connected to the feature by a straight line that ends with a small dot on the feature. Write labels horizontally where possible. If a label line would cross another line, move the label rather than drawing a messy crossing. This convention makes your choices easy to read and check.

1. Draw the frame rectangle and a waist-up outline of yourself inside it.
2. Add the head and face simply, then add hair or head covering as you prefer.
3. Choose at least three scientist attributes from the prompt list: lab coat, goggles, clipboard, beaker, gloves, notebook, safety sign, or another tool you can name.
4. Draw each chosen attribute clearly and place a dot on it.
5. Write a short label outside the frame and connect it to the dot with one straight line.
6. Use the checklist to confirm at least three labeled scientist attributes before finishing.

Choose scientist features that communicate the role

A lab coat is a long outer garment with a front opening and sleeves; draw it over your torso and arms. Goggles are eyewear with a strap; draw them over the eyes or pushed up on the forehead. A clipboard is a flat board with a clip at the top and a sheet of paper; draw it held in one hand. A beaker is a straight-sided container with a small lip; draw it on a bench or in your other hand.

You may substitute valid alternatives: safety glasses instead of goggles, a flask instead of a beaker, a tablet instead of a clipboard, or a face shield instead of goggles. The label must name what you actually drew. The checklist asks for at least three scientist attributes, not a fixed set, so alternatives are acceptable when clearly drawn and labeled.

1. Pick three attributes that are easy to draw clearly at your scale.
2. Draw each attribute large enough that its shape is recognizable without the label.
3. Place the dot on the most identifiable part of the attribute, such as the goggle strap or the clipboard clip.
4. Write the label using the same word you would use to describe the object aloud.
5. Check that no label line points to the wrong feature.

Use the checklist and self-check before submitting

The checklist has four items: a frame with a waist-up self-portrait; at least three scientist attributes drawn; each chosen attribute labeled with a dot and line; labels readable and correctly matched. A drawing can pass with simple shapes if the attributes are clear and the labels match.

Measure your actual paper and pencil if you want consistent label sizes. For example, a hypothetical label height of about one centimeter on a standard sheet may be readable; measure your own equipment rather than assuming a printer tolerance. Keep units consistent if you record measurements.

1. Count your labeled scientist attributes; the minimum is three.
2. Point to each dot and read its label aloud to confirm the match.
3. Check that every label line ends on the intended feature.
4. Confirm the frame contains a waist-up self-portrait, not only a face.
5. Make one improvement if any checklist item is weak, then recheck.

Worked example

A student draws a waist-up self-portrait inside a frame. They draw a lab coat over the torso, goggles on the forehead, and a clipboard in the left hand. They place dots on the coat front, the goggle strap, and the clipboard clip, then write three labels outside the frame with straight lines. Does this meet the checklist?

Four practice exercises

Common mistakes

• Drawing only a face inside the frame, leaving no room for a lab coat or tools. Extend the self-portrait to the waist so the lab coat and hands can hold a clipboard or beaker.
• Writing labels without a dot or line, so the reader cannot tell which feature is labeled. Place a dot on the feature and connect it with one straight line to the label outside the frame.
• Choosing attributes that are too small to recognize, such as a tiny beaker. Redraw the attribute larger within the frame, or choose a different attribute that is easier to show clearly.
• Labeling an object with a word that does not match the drawing, such as calling safety glasses goggles. Use the label that matches what you drew, or redraw the object to match the label.

Self-check rubric

• Frame contains a waist-up self-portrait: 1 point.
• At least three scientist attributes are drawn clearly: 2 points.
• Each chosen attribute has a dot and a straight label line: 2 points.
• Labels are readable and correctly matched to features: 2 points.
• Valid alternatives are accepted when clearly drawn and accurately labeled; no single universal style is required.

Questions and answers