The Effect of STEM Applications On Students’ Science-Engineering Perceptions

This study was conducted to find out the effects of STEM applications on students’ perceptions of science and engineering. The study was conducted with 26 7th graders in a secondary school in Samsun. One group pre test, post test experimental design was used in the study. During the process of STEM applications within the scope of the unit of electric energy, a form consisting of 12 open ended questions was used, analyzed and evaluated. When the data obtained were analyzed, it was found that as a result of STEM education, students’ perceptions of engineering changed positively, they were able to make more correct definitions of engineering and they were able to state the basic objectives of engineering. As a result of the applications, it was found that students were able to tell the elements of the engineering design process and the stages engineers follow while designing products and in addition they were able to express the importance of science for engineering while presenting the spiral relationship between the concepts of science-engineering-technology. Schools should allocate budget for STEM applications which will give students experiences about forming a sense of production, gaining skills related with hands, taking responsibilities and sharing and both students and teachers should be encouraged about STEM applications.

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