• Question: We're your parents scientists?

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      • Royal Society of Chemistry: Find out more about:
      Asked by Ariana1 to Elizabeth, James, Martin, Martin, Rob on 16 Mar 2015. This question was also asked by Carman island flower.
      • Photo: James Coombs OBrien

        James Coombs OBrien answered on 16 Mar 2015:

        not at all no!

        My dad works in an office and my mum is a nurse. I decided I wanted to be a scientist because of my sixth form chemistry teacher!

        Thanks!

      • Photo: Martin Ward

        Martin Ward answered on 16 Mar 2015:

        The short answer to that is no.

        My mum works as a secretary in a primary school, and my dad was a construction worker. Like James, I was lucky to have some fun science teachers during high school that really helped peak my interest in the subjects.

      • Photo: Martin Wieczysty

        Martin Wieczysty answered on 16 Mar 2015:

        Hi Ariana,

        My parents are not scientists. My Dad worked as a manager in a call centre, and my Mum was a housewife – helping look after my brother and I when I was growing up.
        They did however help with science when I was growing up: helping me set up a Chemistry set, take me to museums, and made me lots of cups of coffee when I was studying!
        Many years ago, you had to be rich to study science, have rich parents, or have a parent who was a scientist. Now, anyone can study science!

      • Photo: Robert Woolfson

        Robert Woolfson answered on 16 Mar 2015:

        Nope. My mum worked for the civil service and my dad worked in a school. I think I’m the first person to study science at university in my family.

      • Photo: Elizabeth Cooper

        Elizabeth Cooper answered on 17 Mar 2015:

        No my mum and dad work for civil service. I was the first person in my family to go to university and get a degree.

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