The effect of mind and intelligence games on the academic achievement and inquiry skills of students in the field of learning effective citizenship in the 6th grade social studies course

The Social Studies course aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values they can utilize in their daily lives. In this process, the use of mind and intelligence games contributes to learning by supporting the cognitive and psychomotor development of students. Such games not only enhance academic achievement but also cultivate inquiry skills. In this context, the inclusion of mind and intelligence games in the Social Studies course, from an educational standpoint, helps students realize their potential and actively participate in the learning process. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of mind and intelligence games on the academic achievement and inquiry skills of sixth-grade students within the "Effective Citizenship" learning area of the Social Studies course. The study employed a quasi-experimental model with a pre-test/post-test control group, involving 60 students (30 experimental, 30 control) attending a public middle school in Erzurum during the 2023-2024 spring semester. Data were collected using the "Academic Achievement Test" and the "Inquiry Skills Scale," and an independent samples t-test was used for data analysis. The results indicated that Social Studies education based on mind and intelligence games both enhanced students' academic achievement and developed their inquiry skills. Based on these findings, various practical and research recommendations have been proposed.