Abstract:

In this study, the impact of STEM-based activities on the motivations of students to learn science was studied, and the opinions of students on the activities implemented were also studied. The research is a semi-experimental scheme with the pre-test-final test control group. The research group consists of a total of 98 eighth-class students who study in the last class in a state high school. The research included six classes, and three experimental groups and three control groups were selectively assigned from these classes. The research process was carried out in eight weeks in the course of science-applications. While the teaching is applied to the experimental group with STEM activities, the control group is applied to the content of the teaching program in the course of scientific practices. Without influencing each other, the classes were processed equally in all groups. In the study, the data collection tool was used as the "Fen Learning Motivation Scale" and the "Semi-Structured Interview Form" to determine the student views on STEM events in the application process of the students' experimental group. The reliability ratio of the used scale is 0.80. The semi-configured interview form was prepared by researchers. For the extent validity of the questions in the form, the opinions of two field training experts and one measurement assessment experts were taken. Analysis of quantitative data obtained from the motivation scale for learning was done using t-test for independent groups. The written answers the students give to the semi-configured interview form are evaluated by content analysis from the quality analysis methods. According to the research, the practice made may be said that the experimental group significantly increased the motivation of students to learn science. Students also expressed what they learned by enjoying the process of STEM activity practices.

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