The levels of science and technology literacy of eighth grade students in elementary school (The example of Şanlıurfa)

The aim of this study is to determine the science and technology literacy levels of eighth grade students in elementary school. That's why, survey model of quantitative research methods and case study design of qualitative research methods were used in the study. The all 8th grade students in 147 elementary schools connected to Ministry of National Education; all of which locate in Şanlıurfa city centre in the second semester of 2013-2014 school year form the population of research. As it was not possible to reach all the population, sampling and study group was used. The sample of the study is composed of 720 students selected through random element sampling from 8th grades of cluster sampling method selected 18 schools; the study group is composed of 9 students who were selected on a volunteer basis through purposive sampling from sample group of quantitative research. With the purpose of gathering data; achievement test and semi-constructed interview questionnaire which have been developed by researcher in the research. Computer packet programs were used for statiscal analysis of obtained data. In the analysis of quantitative data, frequency (f), percentage (%), arithmetic mean ( ), standard deviation, independent samples t-test and one way ANOVA from significance tests with Dunnetts'C test from Post Hoc tests were used and the significance level in the analysis of quantitative data was set as p<.05. Content analysis method was used in the analysis of qualitative data that was obtained by interview method. According to quantitative findings, it has been observed that science and technology literacy levels of the students are moderate and there is a statistically significant difference according to their gender, interests in science and technology lesson and frequency of reading newspaper, journal or book, but there is not any statistically significant difference according to the frequency of using computers regarding science and technology lesson. According to qualitative findings, the students have been observed to opine that science and technology literacy of acquires many skills and ability; science and technology literate individual develop himself/herself personally and scientifically; to give examples to both positive and negative factors affecting the levels of science and technology literacy and to curricular and extracurricular activities which develop the science and technology literacy and; to state various ideas about developing science and technology literacy. Various recommendations are made based on the results obtained from the research. Key words: Science and technology course curriculum, Science and technology literacy, Eighth grade in elementary school.