“Diş Çürüklerini Önleyici” İsimli STEM Etkinliği Hakkında Fen Bilgisi Öğretmen Adaylarının Görüşleri

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the views of science teacher candidates about stem activity named"dental caries inhibitor", which was developed according to STEM education approach and applied to science teacher candidates. In this study, qualitative research method was used. The study group of the research consists of 7 science teacher candidates studying at a public university in the Eastern Black Sea region in the 2019-2020 academic year and taking the Science Teaching Laboratory Practices I course. The data of the study were collected through the semi-structured interview questions about the applications. The qualitative data were analyzed contextually. In the research, it was concluded that STEM activity developed for bacteria and dental health increased conceptual understanding of science teacher candidates and contributed to the acquisition of some 21st century skills. In addition, although the teacher candidates mentioned some disadvantages related to the STEM activity in the research, it was concluded that the activity gave them mostly positive features such as increasing their motivation towards the lesson by providing a fun environment, enabling them to participate actively in the process and enabling them to be in a learning process by living.