GlobETS: 2rd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Girne, Cyprus (Kktc), 11 - 14 April 2019, pp.46
STEM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics) is a
synthesis formed by the use of different disciplines. This synthesis, which
improves the permanence of knowledge and provides learning by doing-living,
maintains its popularity in the field of education as a consistent learning
approach based on real-world applications. This study was conducted to evaluate
prospective teachers' views on STEM applications. In the study, GMO analysis by
gel electrophoresis, self-microscope and nano-drug activities were performed.
The study group is comprised of the 4th year students of the Biology Education
Department of the Faculty of Education of a state university. The study was
consisted of 18 students (9 experimental and 9 control groups). Semi-structured
interview questions were used as data collection tools. The voice recordings
were analyzed by transcript. As a result of the analysis, it was determined
that prospective teachers' awareness about STEM education increased and that
they would experience learning process without being bored and that these
practices would increase motivation. In addition, some of the prospective
teachers stated that they could apply any STEM application with students and
some stated that they were not sufficient to design STEM applications. It was
understood that prospective teachers who made STEM practices increased their
competence against STEM applications, but that the prospective teachers had to
practice more in the process. Keywords: STEM applications, biology teacher
candidates