Investigation of Elementary Teachers’ STEM Attitudes and Teaching Competencies

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 56 - 73, 05.11.2025

Sema Aydın-ceran , Ayşe Ceren Atmaca Aksoy , S. Ahmet Kıray

https://doi.org/10.55290/steam.1722742

Abstract

One of the concepts that entered our lives in the 21st century is STEM. The most important step for the integration of STEM concept into education systems is to ensure that teachers' competencies and attitudes towards STEM understanding and practices are at a high level. This study analyzes this critical human factor in education by addressing elementary teachers' competencies towards STEM in the context of certain variables. The study was conducted with a correlational survey design from quantitative research methods. The study was conducted with 278 elementary teachers selected through random sampling method. Elementary Teachers' Efficacy and Attitudes towards STEM (ET-STEM) Scale developed by Şahin-Topalcengiz and Yıldırım (2019) was used as a data collection tool. The study reveals that elementary teachers' STEM education efficacy and attitudes are affected by gender and years of service variables. It was found that female teachers outperformed their male counterparts in terms of STEM career awareness and mathematics teaching competencies, while younger teachers considered themselves more competent in technology integration and innovative STEM practices. These findings provide an important basis for understanding gender and experience-based differences in STEM pedagogy and suggest that professional development opportunities for teachers should be diversified.

Keywords

STEM education , STEM practices , gender differences , elementary school teachers

References

• Aydın-Ceran, S., Atmaca-Aksoy, C. & Kıray, S. A. (2025). Investigation of elementary teachers’ STEM attitudes and teaching competencies. Journal of STEAM Education, 8(2), 56-73.