Abstract:

The importance given to STEM training tends to increase. As the importance of STEM education increases, teachers need STEM training practices. The aim of this study is to present the design, application and evaluation of the thematic STEM event in which students can employ the engineering design process and scientific research process, starting with the real life problem situation in Turkey, Eastern Black Sea Region. For the event designed within the framework of the study, it was first applied to the expert opinion and organized in accordance with the feedback, implemented by a science teacher and under research guidance, with the 24th class student in the 2018-2019 educational year. Experts, researchers and teachers’ opinions on the application process have been evaluated. The results of the evaluations have concluded that the activity is applicable, but there are circumstances that should be taken into consideration in the application process in terms of time, engineering design process, preparation and execution of the process. Different group of students have been presented recommendations that they can adapt to themes and achievements.

Keywords:

Abstract:

The importance given to STEM education tends to increase. Therefore, the need for STEM education practices of teachers is emerging. This study aimed to design, implement and evaluate a STEM activity in which students could apply the engineering design process and the scientific research process that begins with a real-life problem situation experienced in the Eastern Black Sea Region. Regarding the activity designed within the scope of the study, an expert was first consulted, and the activity was organized in accordance with the feedback obtained from the expert. It was then implemented by a science teacher with 24 fifth-graders in the 2018-2019 academic year, under the guidance of the researcher. Opinions of the expert, the researcher, and the teacher in relation to the application process were evaluated. It was concluded that although the activity was in general feasible to implement, there were certain issues to consider in terms of duration of the activity, the engineering design process, preparing the students and conducting the process. Suggestions are presented to adapt the activity to different student groups, topics, and objectives.