The effect of STEM practices in primary school on students' 21st century skills, their attitudes towards STEM and their interests on STEM related professions

With the occurrence of international integration in 21st century, progress and alteration in economics, technology, defense industry has started to gain importance day by day. These advances caused the increase of investments towards engineering and technology fields by hiking the rivalry between countries. This competitive environment led by globalization obtained an important place in individuals' acquiring 21st century skills and gaining competence in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by ensuring the implementation of reforms in education. Accordingly, as a new approach, STEM education has emerged. STEM education aims the development of 21st century skills by arranging the integration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields thanks to its holistic structure, enhancement of tendency to these areas of discipline and emergence of career orientations related to these fields. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of STEM practices on the 21st century skills of primary school 4th grade students, their attitudes towards STEM, their interests in STEM fields and the students' thoughts on STEM regarding this effect. In the study, sequential descriptive pattern, one of the mixed method research designs was used. The study group consists of 34 students studying in 4th grade in a primary school in Milas District of Muğla Province in the 2020-2021 academic year. One group experimental design was used in the quantitative extent of the study, and descriptive analysis technique was used qualitative extent. As data collection tools; "Multidimensional 21st Century Skills Scale", "STEM Attitude Scale", "Interest Scale Regarding STEM Professions" and "Semi-Structured Interview Form" which is developed by the researcher were used. To analyze the quantitative data obtained in the study, paired t-test was used; and to analyze the qualitative data, descriptive analysis technique was used. The results showed that STEM education practices positively affected primary school 4th grade students' 21st century skills, STEM attitudes, their interests in STEM professions and their thoughts on STEM. Keywords: STEM education, 21st century skills, attitude, profession