Determining effectiveness of supporting materials, t-shirts with formula, regarding the electrical energy unit in the secondary school seventh-grade curriculum

The aim of this study is to develop material for students and teachers in accordance with the T-shirt with Formula method regarding the Electrical in Our life Unit in the secondary school seventh-grade science curriculum, to evaluate their effectiveness, and to introduce a new method into mnemonic strategies. This study also stands as a new supporting method of Formula method for mnemonic strategies. By utilizing from half experimental method, assigned as the method of the study, the effectiveness of Formula method and the guiding materials for teachers and students have been developed. Pilot Application of its supporting materials developed for students and teachers within this half experimental methods has been carried out with participation of 20 seventh-grade students and one science teacher. The main experiment has been conducted on 82 seventh-grade students (46 in the experimental group and 36 in the control group) who study at the same school. Data has been collected through Electrical in Our Life Unit Achievement Test (EEAT), informal observation, interviews with students and teachers. The quantitative data that was gathered has been analysed via the dependent t-test and independent t-test while qualitative data has been analysed by means of qualitative methods. Increase in academic achievement of the students in the experimental group has been observed following EEAT (t (45) = -7.322: p<.05).The last test results of the experimental group reveal significant differences with the control group. Results of classroom observations and interviews clearly suggest that the method has been adopted by the students and it increases their motivation and performance. It has been also ascertained that this method contributes to peer learning via social learning strategy. At the end of the article some suggestions based on the results of this study have been presented for researchers and educators who will do further research on the field. Key words: Science Education, Secondary education, Experimental method, t-shirts with Formula method, Mnemonic Devices