The effects of STEM activities on students’ STEM career interests, motivation, science process skills, science achievement and views

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the effects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities on seventh grade secondary school students’ STEM career interests, motivation, science process skills, science achievement, and their views on STEM education. The sample of research consisted of 44 students. The sample was divided into two groups, 22 students in experimental group and 22 students in control group at the seventh grade of a secondary school. Mixed research approach was used in this research. The results showed that STEM activities improved experimental group students’ science process skills, STEM career interests and motivation for STEM fields compared to the students in the control group. The qualitative findings revealed that STEM activities developed positive views towards interdisciplinary education and 21st century skills such as creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. Findings suggested that STEM activities can be implemented to improve students’ science process skills, STEM career interests and motivation and views about STEM education.