The effect of STEM education on the critical thinking and professional preferences of engineering based robotic applications

This research was carried out to determine whether STEM education, which includes engineering based robotics, has an impact on critical thinking and professional preference. The sample of the study consists of 26 students studying in the 4th grade of the primary school in the 2018-2019 academic year. The mixed method was preferred in the research. In the research, a single group pre-test post-test pattern, which is a weak experimental pattern, was created in order to determine the critical thinking and change in professional preferences. "Critical Thinking Skills Scale" and "Professional Free Sketch Test" were used to obtain the data of the research. Open-ended "Semi-structured interview form" prepared by the researcher supporting the quantitative and qualitative data was used. STEM training including engineering based robotics applications was given to the students for 5 weeks. In the findings obtained as a result of the research; In the qualitative data, it was observed that there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of students in critical thinking levels, and their preferences in their professional preferences showed a positive change in their orientation towards STEM professions.