The effect of STEM activities performed with educational robot sets on middle school 5th grade students' mathematics success, problem solving skills and STEM skills levels

The aim of the study is to examine the effects of STEM activities carried out with educational robot sets on middle school 5th grade students' mathematics course achievement, problem solving skills and STEM skill levels. In the research, a quantitative method with pre-test and post-test control groups, which is a quasi-experiment, was used. The sample of the research consists of two 5th grades at Atatürk Secondary School in Aybastı district of Ordu province in the 2nd term of the 2021-2022 academic year. There are 20 students each in the control and experimental groups. While choosing the study group, the convenient sampling method, which is one of the non-random sampling methods, was used. The data collection tools of the research were the "Achievement Test of Triangles and Quadrilaterals with Basic Geometric Concepts" consisting of 20 questions prepared by the researcher to measure the success of the students, the "Problem Solving Inventory for Children" consisting of 24 items to measure the problem solving skills of the students and to measure the STEM skill levels of the students the "Basic STEM Skill Levels Scale" consisting of 23 items was used. By using the SPSS program in the analysis of the data, the arithmetic mean, standard deviation and independent sample t-test analyzes were used. As a result of the research, it was determined that STEM activities carried out with educational robot sets had a positive effect on the mathematics course achievement levels of middle school students. It has been determined that students' problem solving skills have a positive effect on their total score and sub-factors. It was determined that the students' STEM skill levels did not contribute to their total and science sub-factors. It was concluded that the students' STEM skill levels contributed positively on their Mathematics and Engineering and Technology sub-factor.