Investigation of secondary school students’ self-efficacy for STEM activities

Yıl 2023, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 2, 31 - 46, 30.12.2023

Uğur Bahçepınar , Ferhat Karakaya

Öz

The STEM education approach aims to raise qualified individuals who can create global competitiveness. The high self-efficacy of the students in STEM disciplines will ensure that the goals are achieved smoothly. This research was aimed to develop a valid and reliable scale that can measure secondary school students' self-efficacy towards STEM activities. In addition, it was aimed to examine secondary school students' self-efficacy towards STEM activities in terms of different variables. The research, in which the survey design was used, was conducted with 786 (N1=445; N2=341) secondary school students. “STEM Activities Self-Efficacy Scale (STEM-ASES)” was developed, in which the χ2/df value and the model-structure fit perfectly and it fits well according to the CFI and TLI values with a reliability coefficient of (0.939). In addition, as a result of the research, it was stated that the secondary school students’ STEM activities self-efficacy scores did not show a statistically significant difference according to the variables of gender, school type, class level and frequency of technological use. However, it was stated that the students' self-efficacy in STEM activities differed statistically according to their achievement scores.

Anahtar Kelimeler

STEM, STEM self-efficacy, secondary school students

Etik Beyan

Participants of this study were selected on a voluntary basis. In addition, they were informed both verbally and in written form that their data would only be used for scientific purposes. Anonymity was ensured by giving pseudonyms to the participants. In addition, the ethics committee approval was obtained before starting the study, and as a result of the audit, approval was obtained for the study with the report from Yozgat Bozok University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee's dated 19.10.2022 and numbered 37/26.

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