Graduate school of science and primary school teacher candidate measurement of attitudes about nanotechnology

The aim of this study is to determine the attitudes of 4th grade science teacher candidates towards nanoscience and nanotechnology. The mixed method in which quantitative and qualitative research methods are used together was used in the study. Explanatory sequential mixed method design and semi-structured interview form were used in the study. The "Nanotechnology Attitude Scale", which was developed and applied in 2018 by Şenel Özer and Eser Elçin, was used to determine the attitude measurements of science 4th grade teacher candidates towards nanoscience and nanotechnology. The Cronbach alpha (α) coefficient was calculated as 0.91 at the end of 25 items by Şenel Özer and Eser Elçin (2018). In the research, in the fall semester of the 2019-2020 academic year, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Faculty of Education Science Program 75 science 4th grade teacher candidates were given a presentation of "Information about Nanotechnology" by the researcher for 5 weeks. The data of the research were collected by applying a questionnaire through a single group pre-test and post-test. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five pre-service teachers who participated in the presentation of information on nanotechnology and five pre-service teachers who did not attend. When the results of the study are examined, it is seen that the presentation on "Informing about Nanotechnology", in which the science teacher candidates participated, had a positive effect. When analyzed in terms of demographic variables, there was a significant difference in favor of positive attitude in scale sub-dimensions only in terms of gender variable, but no significant difference occurred in favor of positive attitude in other variables. According to the results of the qualitative data analysis, they stated that if the science teacher candidates in the 4th grade had existing knowledge about the subject, their interest and curiosity in the subject increased and it was reflected in their attitudes. They stated that some pre-service teachers who did not receive informative presentations about the subject from science teacher candidates felt inadequate with their current knowledge about nanotechnology and reflected in their attitudes in this direction.