Question: What advice would you give to a person who wanted to become a scientist?

Leo Garcia answered on 24 Jun 2010:

I would advise them to develop an interest in science outside of the classroom – perhaps by reading up on their favourite topics, or joining a science club. Perhaps start reading popular science magazines like New Scientist, and listen to podcasts like:

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/
http://www.nature.com/nature/podcast/

I’d say that you should start to get curious about the world around you, questioning things that people tell you, particularly if they have no evidence to back up their claims (within reason – I don’t mean question when people tell you not to jump into molten lead etc.). Healthy scepticism (which means doubting claims until they are backed up with evidence), balanced with an open mind are the starting points for a scientist.

Maybe read up on the scientific method:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philosophy-Science-Short-Introduction-Introductions/dp/0192802836/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277365114&sr=8-5

Or science ethics:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Medical-Ethics-Short-Introduction-Introductions/dp/0192802828/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277365150&sr=1-4

Also, I would advise getting some work experience. Get in touch with a local university research department, if indeed research is what you’re interested in, who research something you find interesting. For example, in the Institute of Cancer Research, where I work, we regularly offer school students work experience. You will, hopefully, find that most departments are happy to have you spend some time observing or helping out with research – because you might be a future PhD student!