The function of science and technology courses in 4th and 5th grades in terms of citizenship education

The purpose of this study is to examine and describe the citizenship education in Science and Technology courses in the fourth and fifth grades in a primary school. The study was conducted through a case study, which is a common qualitative research design. The data of the study were gathered through participative observation of researcher, semi-structured interviews and document analysis of the science and technology course curriculum. The data based on observations were gathered in fourth and fifth grades of a mid-socioeconomic leveled primary school in Eskisehir. Semi-structured interviews were held with 24 teachers who work in various primary schools in Eskisehir. The data obtained through observations, interviews and document analysis were also examined by means of content analysis technique. The findings of the study are as follows:?The Science and Technology courses include some citizenship education issues such as Science-Technology-Society-Environment, Scientific Literacy, Socio-scientific Issues and Rights and Responsibilities.?The citizenship education in science and technology courses include various teaching techniques and approaches such as research assignment tasks, project based tasks, field trips, discussion activities, ask and answer activities, presentations, watching documentary/films, conducting interviews, brain storming.?The activities in teaching citizenship issues in science and technology courses include school club activities, preparing research based assignments, posters and exhibitions, participating and organizing student conferences, watching documentaries (CD), gathering recyclable objects and making cooperation with local governments, Non-governmental organizations, neighboring institutions as well as parents of the students.?The technology and materials used in teaching citizenship issues in science and technology courses include articles related to current issues that take place in newspapers, magazines, television, and Internet, besides PowerPoint presentations, virtual media tours, documentaries, ICT applications, pictures/photos, cartoons, and posters.?The objectives related to citizenship education in the 4th and 5th Grades Science and Technology Course include some sub-disciplines such as Health Culture, Human Rights and Citizenship, Guidance and Counseling, Career Awareness Raising.?It is found that while teaching citizenship issues in 4th and 5th Grades Science and Technology Courses, teachers usually teach their subjects in relation with other course subjects such as Turkish, Social Studies, Mathematics, Religion and Ethics, and Fine Arts.?It was found that the outcomes of the course objectives concerning the citizenship education in Science and Technology Course were generally evaluated by means of both authentic and traditional assessment techniques. Thus, observation, project-based performance tasks, and discussion activities can be regarded as authentic/alternative assessments techniques whereas open-ended, true/false, multiple-choice questions and oral examinations can be regarded as the traditional assessment techniques.?Not last but least, it was also found that there were some obstacles in teaching citizenship issues in 4th and 5th Grades? Science and Technology Courses that are originated from curriculum, students, parents, supporting materials, education system and the possibilities of the school in addition to the lack of profession knowledge of the teachers.