Investigation of 5th grade students' state curiosity and state anxiety on the subject of "electrical circuit elements"

ABSTRACT Investigation of 5th Grade Students' State Curiosity and State Anxiety on the Subject of " Electrical Circuit Elements " Sevim Göknur İLBAY Master's Thesis FIRAT UNIVERSITY Institute of Educational Sciences Mathematics and Science Education Department Science Education Department 2025, xiv +97 This thesis investigates the impact of the topic "Electrical Circuit Elements," covered in a 5th-grade science course, on student achievement in the context of students' state curiosity and anxiety levels. Curiosity refers to the interest and desire that arises from the desire to learn or understand a subject, while anxiety describes thoughts that create worry, sadness, or stress. Curiosity and anxiety play a significant role in students' academic success. The topic "Electrical Circuit Elements" can both stimulate students' curiosity and increase their anxiety levels. The research linked students' achievement in this topic to their curiosity and anxiety levels during the lesson. It has been determined that when students actively engage in exploration and thinking activities on a topic that interests them, they gain deeper understanding and lasting knowledge. It has been observed that while moderate anxiety levels can negatively impact achievement, momentary and appropriate anxiety can enhance achievement. Therefore, the research emphasizes the importance of developing strategies that maintain students' curiosity about the subject and the subject while reducing anxiety. The findings aim to offer suggestions for increasing student achievement, interest, and motivation in science education. Keywords: Curiosity, Anxiety, Science Curiosity, Science Anxiety, State Science Curiosity, State Science Anxiety