Realistic mathematics education and the effect of mathematics education on students' mathematics achievement and learning retention according to the stem education approach

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of mathematics education on students' mathematics achievement and learning permanence according to the Realistic Mathematics Education and STEM education approach. Material and Methods: Semi-experimental design was preferred among the research designs. The participants of the research are 46 7th grade students studying at Çitgöl Şehit Uzman Çavuş Adil Oruç Secondary School in Simav District of Kütahya Province. Participating students; 14 of them constitute the control group, 16 of them constitute the first experimental group and 16 of them constitute the second experimental group. The data collection tool used in the research is the 16-question Academic Achievement Test (ABT). This test was used as a pre-test, post-test and retention test. Results: Activities prepared according to Realistic Mathematics Education for the first experimental group, activities for the 5E learning model prepared according to the STEM education approach for the second experimental group, and for the control group in accordance with the MEB textbook in accordance with the mathematics curriculum. According to the results obtained from the findings, it is said that the Realistic Mathematics Education and STEM education approach have a positive effect on the mathematics achievement and permanence of the students compared to the existing curriculum. Conclusion: However, when the results of Realistic Mathematics Education and STEM education approach were compared, it was not concluded which educational approach had a more positive effect on students' mathematics achievement and retention. Key Words: Achievement, Realistic Mathematics Education, Retention, STEM.