Role and importance of science and technology in education

In the first section of this survey research aims to investigate frequency of visits to science and technology museums and problems encountered in these visits, bringing solutions to these problems, and enhancing the use in science teaching were investigated. In this frame, questionnaires with multiple choise and open ended items were mailed to 17 primary schools randomly selected from those in the provincial center and districts of Ankara. 31 administrators, 50 science teachers, and 349 students from 6th, 7th, and 6th grades and 93 guardians participated in this study. The second part of research was designed as a pre-post test experimental design. Effects of visits to science and technology museums on intent in science and academic achievement of the students in 2 randomly selected primary schools were examined in this scope. Data consisted of the answers given to the ?Interest Scale? and ?Academic Achievement Test? prepared separately in the scope of exhibitions and experimental apparatuses in Feza Gürsey Science Center and in the Energy Park. In the scope of the general purposes of the research implemented during the 2005-2006 academic year, the SPSS (Statistical Packet for Social Sciences) software was used for the statistical analysis required for the data collected with questionnaires directed to the problems that answers are being sought. In the research, analyses of frequency (f), percentage (%), arithmetic average (), One Factor ANOVA and Simple Regression were used. The following results were obtained in the analysis of the data found in the process of the research: 1. It was found that excursions to science and technology museums in Ankara were mostly carried out through schools, and the rate of families visiting museums with their children was rather low. The reason for not visiting museums were stated as the financial difficulties of the schools and students, lack of transportation support, excess bureaucratic procedures, shortness of time because of the heavy curriculum, intense working tempo of the family members, low levels of education, and lack of interest. 2. It was seen that the tools and materials found in Feza Gürsey Science Center and in the Energy Park, and the activities performed in these places had an important effect on developing and sustaining a significant academic achievement and interest in science subjects. It was found that the academic achievement was not a significant predictor of the interest scores of the students for all 3 experimental groups. Key words: Science Teaching, Informal Education, Environments for Informal Learning, Museums, Science and Technology Museums, Science Centers.