Physics Pre-Service Teachers' Views on Stem Activities

Abstract

The goal of this project is to analyze the views of pre-service physics teachers on STEM education and STEM activities. For this purpose, qualitative approach and semi structured interview forms were used as data collection tools. The interview forms were analyzed using content analysis technique. The participants of the study are eight students from Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Faculty of Education, Department of Physics Education. They conducted a research project as part of 'Research Project in Field Education' course and organized a science festival that included six STEM activities for twenty secondary school students. To illustrate the views of pre-service teachers' on STEM activities, the data were obtained from structured interview forms and then qualitatively analyzed. The results indicate that pre-service teachers think that STEM activities were fun, more permanent, more perceptible and more remarkable, and provide active participation. They also indicated that most of them did not have any difficulties in planning and implementing STEM activities and their motivation in the process increased positively. The participants also stated that they would like to use STEM activities in their classes in the future. Pre-service teachers' perceptions, attitudes and opinions about teaching methods and in-class activities may determine the methods and activities they will use in their own classes in the future. Determining the views of pre-service teachers' on STEM activities may therefore affect the studies on STEM education. © 2018 EdUHK APFSLT.