Investigation of the effect of the early STEM professional development program on the personal-professional competencies and self-efficacy beliefs of child development students

This research was conducted to examine the effect of the Early STEM Professional Development Program on the personal and professional competence perceptions and self-efficacy beliefs of child development associate degree students. It has been determined that there are limited studies in this area. It is thought that a contribution to the literature will be made by knowing the effect of a current education such as STEM on the personal and professional competence perceptions and self-efficacy beliefs of the child development program associate degree students who follow and support the development of children. Case studies research design was used in the study. Since STEM education will be carried out with associate degree students of the Child Development Program of a university in Şanlıurfa, it was deemed appropriate to investigate the situation in a multi-faceted way by making use of qualitative and quantitative data. The universe of the research is the students included in the Child Development Program of a university in Şanlıurfa. The study group of the research was determined as 18 second year (last year) child development associate degree students studying in the Child Development Program of a university in Şanlıurfa. An easily accessible sample was used when determining the study group. In the study, Personal-Vocational Competencies Perception Scale, STEBI-B scale and BAUSTEM's Teacher Self-Evaluation Form were used. In the findings, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference in the personal and professional competence perceptions of the child development associate degree students who participated in the Early STEM Professional Development Program. A statistically significant difference was found in the self-efficacy beliefs of the child development associate degree students who participated in the Early STEM Professional Development Program. In the results of the teacher self-evaluation form, it was found that STEM education contributed to the personal and professional competencies and self-efficacy of child development associate degree students.