The effect of in-service applied STEM trainings on self-efficiency beliefs of science teachers

In this study, the effect of applied STEM education on the self-efficacy of science teachers, the extent to which the trainings are related to the formal education curriculum applied in schools, and their appropriateness to the students' level were investigated. The mixed research method in which the pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental model and qualitative design are applied together was used in the study. The study was carried out with the participation of 61 teachers who participated in the applied STEM education in 2019-October and 2020-March. During the study process, applied STEM education was given to the teachers who participated in the applied STEM education by the teachers who were determined by the Ministry of Education and who had previously received STEM education. In order to determine the effect of this training that teachers received on their self-efficacy, the Applied Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale and the Semi-Structured Interview Form on the Effect of Applied In-Service STEM Education on Teachers' Self-Efficacy Beliefs were applied as a pre-test before the study and a post-test after the study. SPSS 2019 package program was used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the analysis, it was observed that there was a significant difference about the effect of applied STEM education on self-efficacy of teachers (p <0.05). In addition, it was observed that the opinions of the teachers who participated in the training about the contribution of STEM education to STEM applications in the course, the suitability of STEM education to the environment and the suitability of student characteristics changed positively. As a result of the findings obtained from the study, it was seen that applied STEM education had a positive effect on the self-efficacy of Science teachers and contributed to the development of teachers' STEM activity design skills. Keywords: Science Education Applications, Science Teachers, Self-Efficacy, STEM