Investigation of effects of STEM focused activities on socio-economic disadvantage students

The main purpose of this study is to determine the effect of STEM-focused activities planned for the eighth grade "Living and Energy Relations" unit for socio-economically disadvantaged students on the attitude, career interest and academic achievement of the students. The study was carried out in 2016-2017 academic year with the participation of 34 (16 boys, 18 girls) 8th grade students in a boarding regional secondary school affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Sinop. In this study, a mixed research design was used in which quantitative and qualitative research designs were combined. Quantitative data of the study were obtained by using Academic Achievement Test, STEM Interest Survey, and STEM Attitude Scale. The qualitative data of the research were collected by STEM Attitude and Professions Interest Form, and student diaries. In the analysis of the quantitative data, t-test and in the analysis of qualitative data, descriptive analysis, and content analysis methods were used together. According to the findings of the research, STEM-focused activities improved the academic achievement, interest and attitude towards STEM fields of the students in the 8th grade.