The Comparison of Scientist Perceptions of Syrian Refugee Students and Turkish Students: Sample of Mersin Province

Abstract

The objective of this study is to compare scientist perception of students who migrated from Syria to Turkey in recent years in primary school age and Turkish students. Descriptive research method is used in this study. The study was conducted with a total of 109 students as Syrian (36) and Turkish (73) attending a public school in third and fourth grades in Mersin Province in 2017-2018 academic year. In the research, Draw A Scientest Test-DAST which were developed by Chambers (1983) was applied as data collection tool. The analysis of the drawings was made with reference to codes and themes developed by Chambers (1983), Korkmaz and Kavak (2010), Song and Kim (1999). In the drawings of students; the codings were performed according to the themes of (1) physical characteristics of scientist, (2) his/her gender, (3) research symbols s/he used, (4) knowledge symbols s/he used, (5) technology, (6) study field and (7) favourite scientists. When the drawings are examined all male children both Syrian and Turkish drawed a ``male{''} figure when scientist is called. As for the physical characteristics of scientist, both student groups described scientist as his/her hair combed properly, well groomed. While Syrian students give place to symbols of microscope, clock, palette, lightbulb, ship, Turkish students give place to many more various symbols relevant to research symbols scientist used. The images which they reflected related to knowledge symbols used by scientist differs as well. It is seen that common images of Syrian and Turkish children related to technology are time machine, spaceship, flying car and flying house. While the drawings are examined under the category of favourite scientist; ``Thomas Edison{''} took the first place in the ranking of favourite scientist for both Syrian and Turkish students. As a result of this research, it is seen that Syrian students generally give more limited answers about the perception of scientists than Turkish students. Children have difficulty in drawing according to Turkish students since they cannot express themselves in a language other than their mother tongue. In this context, suggestions were made about the integration of Syrian students into the education process.