Developing renewable energy themed activities module based on stem approach for science teacher candidates

Although energy is a concept we come across at every level of education, it includes specific definitions in the disciplines of physics, chemistry, and biology. Although it is treated separately, it should be evaluated as a whole in this respect. The aim of this study is to develop a module of activities themed on renewable energy based on the STEM approach for science teacher candidates and to evaluate its applicability. In this module, there are subactivities of Solar Panels, Parabolic Solar Collectors, Wind Turbines, Biomass Energy, Use of Rainwater as Irrigation Water, Evaporative Coolers and Waste Management. The study sample consisted of teacher candidates studying in the third grade of the Department of Science Education at Pamukkale University in the academic year 2022-2023. The implementations were carried out in two semesters, spring and fall, within the scope of Science Teaching Laboratory Practices course. The sample of the study; It consists of 25 students for the pilot implementation, 25 for the real implementation and 50 students in total. This study is an action research study. The data were collected through out-of-class student work uploaded to digital platforms, in-class work and researcher observations. These data were analysed using the STEM Integration Curriculum Assessment (STEM-ICA) and the High School Rubric for Engineering Design Logs. As a result, the renewable energy-themed activities module based on the STEM approach for science teacher candidates can be thought to be applicable for teaching processes at the university level. The module can help teacher candidates to improve their STEM skills and make learning more interactive. In consequence of this study, it can be predicted that teacher candidates will be able to teach in a more conscious and competent way about renewable energy and also will be helpful to their future students by designing similar processes. It can be said that the course module, which took its final form with the arrangements, has become applicable based on the criteria in the literature.