Research Article

The Effects of Integrated STEM Education Practices on Problem Solving Skills, Scientific Creativity, and Critical Thinking Dispositions

Volume: 9 Number: 6 November 1, 2022
EN

The Effects of Integrated STEM Education Practices on Problem Solving Skills, Scientific Creativity, and Critical Thinking Dispositions

Abstract

Today, the need for individuals who follow scientific and technological developments closely and who can adapt to these changes rapidly is increasing. These needs have made it necessary for countries to try various changes, reforms and current approaches required by the age in their education systems. One of these approaches is STEM education, which has frequently been encountered in the national and international literature in recent years. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education is an approach that emphasizes the 21st century skills, integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, and covers formal and informal education at all education levels. In addition, the number of studies on STEM education is increasing daily. This research aims to integrate the 8th-grade science curriculum with STEM education practices and examine the effects of these practices on students’ problem-solving (PS) skills, scientific creativity, and critical thinking dispositions. In this study conducted with quantitative methods, the pretest-posttest control group design of the quasi-experimental method was used. The study group of the research consists of students who took the 8th-grade science course at a private school. Research data were collected from both the classes before and after the experimental study. Descriptive statistics and covariance analysis (ANCOVA) were used in the data analysis. The research results revealed that integrated STEM education applications positively affect students’ problem-solving skills, scientific creativity, and critical thinking dispositions. The collected results were discussed with the studies in the literature, and suggestions were made accordingly.

Keywords

STEM education , problem solving skills , scientific creativity , critical thinking

References

  1. Acar, D. (2018). FETEMM Eğitiminin ilkokul 4. sınıf öğrencilerinin akademik başarı, eleştirel düşünme ve problem çözme becerisi üzerine etkisi [The effect of STEM education on the academic success, critical thinking and problem solving skills of the elementary 4th grade students] [Doctoral dissertation]. Gazi University
  2. Akerson, V. L., Morrison, J. A., & McDuffie, A. R. (2006). One course is not enough: Preservice elementary teachers’ retention of improved views of nature of science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 43(2), 194-213.
  3. Akgündüz, D., Aydeniz, M., Çakmakçı, G., Çavaş, B., Çorlu, M. S., Öner, T. & Özdemir, S. (2015). STEM eğitimi Türkiye raporu [STEM education turkish report]. Scala Press.
  4. Akgündüz, D., Ertepınar, H., Ger, A. M., & Türk, Z. (2015b). STEM eğitimi çalıştay raporu [STEM education workshop report]. https://bit.ly/3P5mxZ3
  5. Atabaş, Ü. (2020). STEM Eğitiminin fen bilimleri dersinde dördüncü sınıf öğrencilerinin bilimsel yaratıcılıklarına, problem çözmeye yönelik yansıtıcı düşünme becerilerine ve stem eğitimine ilişkin görüşlerine etkisi [The effect of stem education on fourth grade students' scientific creativity, reflective thinking skills for problem solving and opinions on Stem education in the science course] [Doctoral dissertation]. Marmara University.
  6. Bağçeci, B., & Kinay, İ. (2013). Öğretmenlerin problem çözme becerilerinin bazi değişkenlere göre incelenmesi [Investigation of teachers’ problem solving skills according to some variables]. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 12(44), 335-347. Bakırcı, H. & Kutlu, E. (2018). Fen bilimleri öğretmenlerinin FeTeMM yaklaşımı hakkındaki görüşlerinin belirlenmesi [Determination of science teachers’ views on STEM approach]. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT), 9(2), 367-389. https://doi.org/10.16949/turkbilmat.417939
  7. Batdi, V., Talan, T., & Semerci, C. (2019). Meta-Analytic and Meta-Thematic Analysis of STEM Education. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology (IJEMST), 7(4), 382-399.
  8. Bebek, G. (2021). Özel Yetenekli öğrencilere yönelik tasarlanan STEM etkinliğinin öğrencilerin bilimsel yaratıcılık, bilişsel başarı ve eleştirel düşünme becerisine etkisi: Yenilenebilir enerji kaynakları konusu örneği [The effect of STEM based activity designed for gifted students on students' scientific creativity, cognitive achievement and critical thinking skills: A case study on renewable energy resources] [Doctoral dissertation]. Trabzon University.
  9. Becker, K., & Park, K. (2011). Effect of integrative approaches among science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects on students learning: A preliminary meta-analysis. Journal of STEM Education, Innovations, and Research, 12(5-6),23-37. Benek, I. & Akcay, B. (2019). Development of STEM Attitude Scale for Secondary School Students: Validity and Reliability Study. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology (IJEMST), 7(1), 32-52. DOI:10.18404/ijemst.509258
  10. Büyüköztürk, S., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, O. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2013). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri [Scientific research methods]. Pegem Academy.
APA
Hebebci, M. T., & Usta, E. (2022). The Effects of Integrated STEM Education Practices on Problem Solving Skills, Scientific Creativity, and Critical Thinking Dispositions. Participatory Educational Research, 9(6), 358-379. https://doi.org/10.17275/per.22.143.9.6

Cited By