The effect of village experiences related to science on middle school students' 21st century skills

This study aims to determine the levels of 21st-century skills possessed by 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students studying in rural areas and to evaluate the skills in terms of gender, grade level, and concrete village life. The research is a descriptive study using the survey model. The research group of the study was determined to be 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students who continue their education in Giresun districts and village areas. Purposive sampling was used as the sample selection method. Doğankent district, one of the districts with the highest level of concrete village life in Giresun districts and village regions, was selected. Espiye and Tirebolu districts were also determined due to insufficient students. Subsequently, the appropriate sampling method was used to determine at least 500 students in seven different schools who would voluntarily participate in the study. In the study, to assess the 21st-century skills of middle school students, the Comprehensive 21st-Century Skills Scale, consisting of 62 items developed by Kalemkus and Bulut Ozek (2022), was used, and a demographic questionnaire was used to measure the level of experiencing concrete village experiences. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program. In the study, scale scores were calculated, and kurtosis and skewness coefficients were examined to determine the suitability of the scores for normal distribution. Since the scores showed normal distribution, parametric test techniques were used in the study. ANOVA and unrelated t-tests were used to analyze whether the scale score differed according to demographic characteristics. In line with the results, no significant difference was found among boys and girls regarding 21st-century skills in gender comparison. Among the groups with different grade levels, it is seen that when the grade level increases, the total score, collaborative skills, creativity and innovation skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, social, responsibility and adaptation skills levels of the students decrease. Regarding all 21st-century skills among the students who live in the village and the districts, the average score of those who live there is significantly higher. Among the participants with high village life experience and the participants with low village life experience, the mean score of the participants with high village experience was significantly higher in terms of scale total score, collaborative skill, critical thinking, problem-solving skill, creativity, and innovation skill.