The Effect of STEM Approach In Science Education On Academic Success: A Meta-Analysis Study

Abstract

In this research, a meta-analysis study was conducted to examine the effect of the STEM approach in science education on academic success of students. In accordance with the criteria determined in the meta-analysis study, the studies included in the research are at the Master's and doctoral levels, and these studies were taken from the National Thesis Center database of the Council of Higher Education. In the study, a total of 147 studies carried out between 2010 and 2020 were examined and 31 Master's and 3 Doctoral studies fit the criteria of inclusion were included in the meta-analysis. The sample of a total of 34 studies consisted of 1962 students at the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade levels. Analyses were made with the help of Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V2 statistical program. The random effects model was used because the structure was heterogeneous when the studies were analysed and combined. As a result of the research, the effect size of the STEM approach in science education on students' academic success was calculated as 1.420. These values are a large effect size according to the academic success variable according to the classification made. In this context, it has been concluded that the STEM approach in science education has a positive and wide-ranging effect on increasing the academic success of students. The size of the effect on academic success differed according to the grade level, and the highest effect was observed in the studies at the 4th grade level.