The effect of project-based learning on scientific skill processes and attidues towards biology of science teacher candidates

The purpose of this study is to search the effect of project based learning on scientific skill processes and attitudes toward biology of science teacher candidates. The study is implemented on the 2nd grade candidates of science teachers in Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University. There are 45 girls and 23 boys in the sample. The pretest-posttest designs are preferred to compare participant groups and measure the degree of change occurring as results of interventions. The experimental group directed to prepare a personal project proposal and also directed to implement their projects. No treatments are given to control group in this respect. Only housework is given to each control group student because we thought all students (experimental and control groups) should spend equal time for extra work during fall and spring educational period. However, this housework doesn?t contain any scientific skill processes. During the treatments, which take two semestre, the advisor supports all students as a group studies and in dealing with students individually. At the end of the treatments students present their results on the science festival. The scale of scientific skill process and the scale of attitudes towards biology are used in the study. The reliability and validty of both scales are tested. Independent t-test is used to compare the mean values of experimental and control groups. %95 confidence limit was performed. Finally, there are significant difference between experimental and control groups towards to the experimental group in scientific skill processes. There is no significant difference between the mean values of attitudes of experimental and control group. There is no difference between two sexes? attitudes and also there is no difference between two sexes? scientific skill process.Key words: Science education, project based learning, scientific skill process, attitude towards biology