"Scientist Stereotypes" could be another name for this lesson! Begin by drawing from middle schoolers' preconceived notions and media portrayal of scientists, and then explain that anyone can be a scientist. Even though there is an extensive appendix of information about different scientists, the lesson plan focuses a disproportionate amount of time on the stereotypes, even suggesting an experiment to discover whether or not scientists are "crazier" than "regular" people.