The effect of environmentally friendly STEM activities on interest in science

In this study, environmental STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) activities were examined on factors and environmental awareness affecting students' interest in science, their interest in STEM areas. For this purpose, the environmental-friendly STEM events summer program was prepared by evaluating the themes, topics and achievements of the Environmental training. Special talented students have been selected as the purpose sampling and sampling group for the purpose of the study. The research was carried out in the summer period of 2017-2018 academic year with 10 secondary school students who continued at the Science and Arts Center within the scope of the "Eco-friendly FeTeMM summer workshop". In the research was designed in a single group pre-test-post-test weak experimental design, and qualitative research method was also used to support the data obtained. As a quantitative measurement tool for the research, the Science interest survey, the Factors survey for STEM areas and the Environmental Awareness scale were used. Qualitative data was obtained from semi-structured discussions with the Engineering design book used in activities. The qualitative data obtained in the research was analyzed by descriptive analysis and content analysis technique, and quantitative data was analyzed by the wilcoxon signed ranks test. After the eco-friendly STEM workshop, students showed a significant increase in the focus on physical events in science education. The workshop results in significant changes in the environment awareness and the environmental behavior size. The STEM teaching approach is critical to providing environmental education, finding solutions to existing environmental problems, preventing future environmental problems and creating environmental awareness.