Research Article

Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students

Volume: 55 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
TR EN

Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of STEM education activities developed within the cooperative learning framework on fourth-grade primary school students' motivation towards science, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement. The swift advancements in technology have given rise to instructional approaches grounded in technological integration, with STEM education gaining prominence in the early years due to its capacity to develop students’ analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. The study contrasts the effectiveness of STEM activities implemented through the cooperative learning model with those based on the widely adopted 5E instructional approach. The aim is to determine which method more effectively enhances students’ motivation, achievement, and critical thinking skills. Utilising a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test control groups, the study was conducted with 71 fourth-grade students from two public schools located in Turkey’s Mediterranean region during the 2021–2022 academic year. Data were obtained through the Science Motivation Scale, a Critical Thinking Skills Scale, and an Academic Achievement Test. Analyses were carried out using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, MANOVA, and MANCOVA. The findings demonstrated that both instructional strategies positively affected students’ motivation, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement. Nevertheless, MANCOVA results indicated that STEM activities enriched with cooperative learning components had a significantly greater impact compared to the 5E instructional model. These findings underscore the pedagogical value of collaborative learning in STEM education and highlight the potential of such approaches to enhance primary school students’ educational outcomes. It is therefore recommended that educators integrate cooperative learning strategies into STEM-based instruction to promote higher levels of engagement, reasoning skills, and academic performance.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Destekleyen herhangi bir kurum bulunmamaktadır.

Thanks

Araştırmama katılan ilkokul öğrencilerine ve destek veren okul idarecilerine ve öğretmenlerine teşekkür ederim.

References

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  3. Aydın, E., & Yel, S. (2024). STEM eğitimi ile ilgili ilkokul düzeyinde yazılan tezlerin incelenmesi. Çağdaş Yönetim Bilimleri Dergisi, 11(2), 131–148.
  4. Bachman, L. F. (2004). Statistical analyses for the language assessment book (1st Ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University
  5. Bahçeci, Ö. (2020). The effect of cooperative learning method supported by dialogue and group questioning strategies on the critical thinking tendencies and mathematics attitudes of 6th-grade students [Unpublished master’s thesis]. Fırat University.
  6. Barkatsas, T., Carr, N., & Cooper, G. (2018). Introduction: STEM education: An emerging field of inquiry. In T. Barkatsas, N. Carr, & G. Cooper (Eds.), STEM education: An emerging field of inquiry (pp. 1–8). Brill.
  7. Bassachs, M., Cañabate, D., Nogué, L., Serra, T., Bubnys, R., & Colomer, J. (2020). Fostering critical reflection in primary education through STEAM approaches. Education Sciences, 10(12), 384–396. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/educsci10120384
  8. Bender, W. N. (2018). 20 strategies for STEM teaching. (S. Durmuş, A. S. İpek & B. Yıldız, Trans.). Nobel Academy Publishing.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Curriculum Development in Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 7, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 3, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 55 Number: 1

APA
Aslan, S. (2026). Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 55(1), 467-517. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1736673
AMA
1.Aslan S. Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55(1):467-517. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1736673
Chicago
Aslan, Serkan. 2026. “Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 (1): 467-517. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1736673.
EndNote
Aslan S (April 1, 2026) Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 1 467–517.
IEEE
[1]S. Aslan, “Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students”, Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 467–517, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.14812/cuefd.1736673.
ISNAD
Aslan, Serkan. “Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55/1 (April 1, 2026): 467-517. https://doi.org/10.14812/cuefd.1736673.
JAMA
1.Aslan S. Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55:467–517.
MLA
Aslan, Serkan. “Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 467-1, doi:10.14812/cuefd.1736673.
Vancouver
1.Serkan Aslan. Enhancing Science Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Academic Achievement: The Impact of Cooperative Learning-Based STEM Activities on Primary School Students. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026 Apr. 1;55(1):467-51. doi:10.14812/cuefd.1736673

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