Investigation of secondary school students 'attitudes towards technology and perceptions of science, engineer and STEM areas

In this research, it was investigated that fifth, sixth and seventh grade students attitude towards scientists, engineers and STEM and technology. The researchs in this field was made in accordance with gender and grade variables of the students. Besides manners of the students against technology and the usage of the technology in lessons, It was also investigated that, the relation between total perception levels against STEM fields. The research was conducted in the fall semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. This research datas were presented analiyze quantitatively and qualitatively. To collect this datas, Personal Information Form, The test named "draw a scientist", the test named "draw an engineer", attitude scale intended for technology and usage of the technology in lessons and total perception scale intended for STEM field were used. While using frequency and percentage in findings related to qualitative features in data related to drawing in the research, In the research, data was analyzed by using Independent Sample T-Test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Analysis and Regression analysis. As a result of the research, it was detected that, there is a meaningfull relation in negative direction between manners of the students towards technology, the usage of the technology in lessons and total perception levels against STEM fields. Also, according to the averages, it was observed that the perception of female students' attitude towards engineering was higher than that of male students. In addition, in accordance with obtained by the drawings data, looking from the viewpoint of terms of gender, it was seen that the students draw male more than female as scientist and engineer. Furthermore, it was also seen that they draw a laboratory and laboratory equipments as a working environment of scientists. In the light of the findings, the importance of STEM education was emphasized and suggestions were made to program designers, researchers and practitioners in this regard. Keywords: STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering Perception, Scientist Perception