Views of Science and Mathematics Pre-service Teachers Regarding STEM

Abstract

STEM education is an integrated approach that combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines with different subjects in real life situations, together and simultaneously. The views of pre-service teachers introduced to STEM by means of workshops that presented information and scales on STEM education regarding the subject were collected in this study. The participants of the study were the senior class students at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Faculty of Education, Department of Primary Education, Physical Sciences (37 members) and Mathematics Education (20 members). A survey with open-ended questions was used to collect data. A descriptive content analysis was performed and the data were summarized in the tables. The results showed that the pre-service teachers have more positive views about the STEM approach, and there is not a significant difference between the views of science and mathematics teachers. Also, they reported positive views about making such applications in their future classes.