The effects of learning boxes supported discovery learning on 5th grade students academic achievements, science learning competence and attitude towards science: Unit of solving puzzle of our body

This study is prepared for the Unit of Solving Puzzle of Our Body on the aim of determining the effects of learning boxes supported discovery learning on secondary school 5th grade students academic achievement, science attitude and science learning competence. Samples of research are formed from 48 students (experiment:24, control:24) that receive education in 2016-2017 Fall Educational Term in Diyarbakir-Çınar studying at a state school in 5/A and 5/B classes. On that study one of the experimental research methods is used as quasi-experimental method's unequalized control grouped model sample. In pre-research the method required by the current curriculum educational method is assigned to 5/A class, learning boxes supported by discovery learning strategy is assigned to 5/B class. To measure student's academic achievements, Solving Puzzle of Our Body Unit Achievement Test which is calculated as .81 coefficient of reliability and based on improving learning outcomes was applied. To measure student's learning ability of science, Learning Science Ability Scale which is calculated as .89 coefficient of reliability was applied. To measure the attitude of student's, Attitude Toward Science Scale which is calculated as .85 coefficient of reliability was applied. At the beginning of the research, Achievement Test, Learning Science Ability Scale and Attitude Toward Science Scale were applied as pre-test to both groups. At the end of the research, the same tests was reapplied to both groups as the post-test. Dependent t test, Independent t test and Mann-Whitney U test are used at the analysis of the data in this research at SPSS.23 computer program. Significant differences are found according to the post test results. It was confirmed that these differences were in favor of the group which was supported by learning boxes and learning by discovery. According to post-test the results of this research; experiment group based on education strategy supported by learning boxes and discovery are more successful at academic achievement, science learning competence and behavior towards science. Furthermore, Cohen's d effect is observed highly in large extent. Strategy used in research indicates that it would be effective and resistant based on Cohen's d effect for next similar subjects. Also, there were not significant differences 5th grade students science achievements and attitudes towards science according to gender. But there were significant difference 5th grade students science learning competences and this difference was in favor of the girl students.