Effects of 5E Integrated STEM Based Activities on Middle School Students’ Attitudes Towards Science, Science Anxiety and Perceptions of STEM Fields

Merve Deveci Bozkurt, Nihat Altınöz & Metin Açıkyıldız

doi:https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2023.615.4

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2023, Vol. 19(6) 50-65

Effects of 5E Integrated STEM Based Activities on Middle School Students’ Attitudes Towards Science, Science Anxiety and Perceptions of STEM Fields

Merve Deveci Bozkurt, Nihat Altınöz & Metin Açıkyıldız

pp. 50 - 65 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2023.615.4 | Manu. Number: MANU-2208-31-0007.R1

Published online: December 12, 2023 | Number of Views: 89 | Number of Download: 467

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using 5E integrated Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) based activities on 6th grades students’ attitudes towards science, their science anxiety and their perceptions of STEM fields. Mixed research method was used for this purpose. The study was conducted with 28 6th grade students who live in Gaziantep city of Turkey. “Matter and Heat” science topic was taught using the 5E integrated STEM based activities. Questionnaires to test students’ attitudes towards science, their science anxiety, and their perceptions of STEM fields were used as pre and post-tests before and after the implementation of the activities. While effect size difference (r score) and non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for the quantitative data analyses, the qualitative data from the semi-constructed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Before the implementation of the activities, female students’ attitude levels were higher and their anxiety levels were lower than males. The results showed that the 5E integrated STEM-based activities had a positive effect on increasing students’ attitudes towards science while decreasing their science anxiety. Although the effect on students’ perceptions of individual STEM fields was relatively small, these activities positively increased their perceptions of each STEM field. The participants also found the activities very enjoyable, fun and like doing.

Keywords: STEM Based Activities, Attitude Towards Science, Science Anxiety

How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Bozkurt, M.D., Altinoz, N. & Acikyildiz, M. (2023). Effects of 5E Integrated STEM Based Activities on Middle School Students’ Attitudes Towards Science, Science Anxiety and Perceptions of STEM Fields . International Journal of Progressive Education, 19(6), 50-65. doi: 10.29329/ijpe.2023.615.4

Harvard
Bozkurt, M., Altinoz, N. and Acikyildiz, M. (2023). Effects of 5E Integrated STEM Based Activities on Middle School Students’ Attitudes Towards Science, Science Anxiety and Perceptions of STEM Fields . International Journal of Progressive Education, 19(6), pp. 50-65.

Chicago 16th edition
Bozkurt, Merve Deveci, Nihat Altinoz and Metin Acikyildiz (2023). "Effects of 5E Integrated STEM Based Activities on Middle School Students’ Attitudes Towards Science, Science Anxiety and Perceptions of STEM Fields ". International Journal of Progressive Education 19 (6):50-65. doi:10.29329/ijpe.2023.615.4.

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