The Impact of Socio-Scientific Activities on Middle School Students’ Attitudes and Views towards STEM

Abstract

In this study, middle school students were encouraged to develop STEM based socio-scientific activities, and as a result, their attitudes and opinions towards STEM were investigated. Mixed nested method was used in this research. Sample of the study consists of 16 seventh grade students, who got educated during the 2017-18 academic year in an eastern province of Turkey. The study lasted 24 weeks during an academic year. Data was collected by using STEM Attitude Scale, STEM Interview Form, Field Notes and Informal Meetings. The research findings indicated that engagement in STEM-based socio-scientific activities significantly enhanced participants' attitudes towards STEM disciplines. Moreover, this active involvement positively impacted their skills and aspirations, fostering a greater inclination toward selecting professions and careers geared towards creating innovations to enhance human life. Additionally, it was concluded that the activities positively affected their knowledge and motivation about STEM and socialization features such as communication, interaction and sharing.

Keywords

• STEM education
• Middle school
• Science
• Attitudes

SOSYO-BİLİMSEL ETKİNLİKLERİN ORTAOKUL ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN STEM'E İLİŞKİN TUTUM VE GÖRÜŞLERİNE ETKİSİ

Öz

Bu çalışmada ortaokul öğrencilerinin sosyo-bilimsel konularda STEM etkinlikleri geliştirmeleri sağlanmış ve bunun sonucunda STEM'e yönelik tutum ve görüşleri incelenmiştir. Bu araştırmada karma iç içe desen kullanılmıştır. Bu araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, 2017-18 eğitim-öğretim yılında Türkiye'nin sosyo-ekonomik gelişmişlik düzeyi en düşük illerinden birinde bulunan bir devlet okulunun yedinci sınıfında öğrenim gören 16 ortaokul öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. Çalışma grubuna birinci ve ikinci yarıyıllarda 24 hafta süreyle sosyobilimsel STEM uygulaması uygulanmıştır. Öğrenciler "Mühendislik Tasarım Aşamaları"nı kullanarak STEM etkinliklerini tasarladılar. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak “STEM Tutum Ölçeği”, “STEM Görüşme Formu”, “Alan Notları” ve “Gayrı Resmi Görüşmeler” kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda, sosyo-bilimsel STEM uygulamasının öğrencilerin STEM'e yönelik tutumlarını olumlu ve kalıcı bir şekilde geliştirdiği, ayrıca meslek seçimi yapma beceri ve isteklerini ve kariyerlerini, ürünlerini/tasarımlarını/icatlarını olumlu yönde etkilediği sonucuna varılmıştır. insan hayatını kolaylaştıracak ve ihtiyaçlarını, STEM alanlarının ortak kullanımına ilişkin düşüncelerini, STEM'e yönelik ilgi ve motivasyonlarını, iletişim, etkileşim, paylaşım gibi sosyalleştirici özellikleri üzerine olumlu etkisi olmuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• STEM eğitimi
• ortaokul
• fen
• tutum

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