Opinions of pre-service teachers on STEM applications designed in accordance with the 5E learning model

The application of models developed through STEM in the field of sciences contributes significantly to learning and instruction. An individual well-versed in STEM education assimilates a encountered piece of information in their daily life by comparing it with pre-existing mental schemas and thereby adapting and employing it in accordance with their cognitive framework. In this study, it is based on examining the views of third grade science teacher candidates about STEM applications designed in accordance with the 5E learning model. The study was conducted in the fall semester of the 2017-2018 academic year, in collaboration with 30 teacher candidates enrolled in the science teacher education program at Muş Alparslan University (MAUN). This study takes the form of a case study concluded over a period of 14 weeks, with teacher candidates, and is conducted under the condition of engaging with them for a minimum of 4 hours per week. Semi-structured interview forms were used for data collection, and analyses were carried out in accordance with the content analysis method. As a result of the applications conducted based on STEM education, it was demonstrated by the researcher that the perspectives of the teacher candidates were positively validated in terms of the integration of STEM education with the 5E learning model. The teacher candidates expressed that STEM education should be incorporated into curriculum programs, and they stated that the integration of STEM education with the 5E learning model through the conducted applications could positively influence students' self-confidence and creativity in terms of learning and teaching. 2023, 49 pages Keywords: Science, STEM, STEM Education, 5E Learning Model.