The examination of pre-service science teachers' self-efficacy and anxiety towards biology laboratory through biology laboratory activities

This study was conducted to examine the biology laboratory self-efficacy and anxiety towards biology laboratories of prospective science teachers. In this study, which used a quantitative research method, a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test-post-test control group was employed. The research involved prospective science teachers studying at Kırşehir Ahi Evran University and Kırıkkale University during the 2023-2024 academic year. The study was conducted with a total of 40 prospective teachers, with 20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. While laboratory activities planned by the researchers were applied to the experimental group, the 2018 YÖK-supported education program was implemented for the control group. To measure the changes in prospective teachers' biology laboratory self-efficacy and anxiety towards biology laboratories, the "Biology Self-Efficacy Scale" and "Biology Laboratory Anxiety Scale" were used. The overall Cronbach-alpha coefficient of the scales was calculated by the researchers as 0.80 and 0.81, respectively. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 20 software package. As a result of the study, a positive increase in the biology laboratory self-efficacy of the prospective teachers who were educated with laboratory activities was observed. It was concluded that the prospective teachers' anxiety towards the biology laboratory decreased. The results obtained from the research are expected to raise awareness about the conduct of science-related courses in middle school, high school, and university, and to contribute to science by cultivating scientifically literate individuals.This research was supported by the Scientific Research Projects (BAP) unit of Kırşehir Ahi Evran University.