The Effects of STEM Activities on STEM Attitudes, Scientific Creativity and Motivation Beliefs of the Students and Their Views on STEM Education

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the effects of STEM activities on the STEM attitudes, scientific creativity and motivational beliefs of seventh grade students and the views of the students on STEM education. In this context, the mixed research method was used. In the quantitative section of the study, pre-test/post-test single-group research model was used and case study method was used in the qualitative section. "STEM Attitude Scale," "Scientific Creativity Scale," and "Motivation and Learning Strategies Scale," and an interview form and student diaries were used as data collection instruments, where the latter two instruments were used to determine students' views on STEM educational approach. Twenty-five seventh grade students attending a school in Elazığ province urban center participated in the study. An 8-week program was conducted with STEM activities for the students participating in the study. Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to calculate the normality of the data obtained in the study and it was determined that the study data exhibited normal distribution. After paired sample t-test, it was determined that there was a significant difference between STEM attitudes, scientific creativity and motivation beliefs of the students. The student views on STEM education demonstrated that they considered STEM education as instructive, entertaining, creative and motivating. Furthermore, the students stated that STEM education improved their creativity and motivation towards the courses and contributed to their career choices.