Examination of Project Tasks in Science Textbooks in Terms of Entrepreneurial Project Characteristic

Abstract

The emphasis in the literature on the need to integrate science education and entrepreneurship education has been increasing in recent years. Accordingly, the emphasis on entrepreneurship is increasing in both science curriculum and science textbooks. Thus, the entrepreneurship dimension draws attention in the project tasks included in the science textbooks. The aim of this research is to examine the project tasks in the 5-8 grade science textbooks in terms of entrepreneurial project characteristics. Document analysis method was used in the research. The data of the research were obtained from the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade science textbooks published in 2019. A total of 42 project tasks were analyzed in seven science textbooks. The "Entrepreneurial Project Checklist" consisting of 13 criteria developed by the researchers was used to analyze the project tasks. Basic content analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the research, it has been determined that while some of the project tasks have entrepreneurial project characteristics, some of them are not sufficiently included in entrepreneurial project characteristics. In addition, it has been determined that all of the project tasks include a stage or instruction that will enable students to create a prototype of their project ideas. On the other hand, it was determined that no stage or instruction was included in any project task that would enable students to associate project ideas with the country's economy. From this point forth, entrepreneurial project characteristics can be included more in the project tasks of science textbooks that will be renewed in the future.