Examination of the role of science teaching attitudes of preschool teachers in their STEM awareness

Understanding how preschool teachers' science education attitudes affect STEM awareness is important to improve teaching practices and increase the efficiency of the learning environment. In this context, the aim of the research was to examine the role of preschool teachers' attitudes toward science teaching on their STEM awareness. The research is a quantitative research with descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational screening model. The study group of the research consisted of 267 preschool teachers working at preschool educational institutions affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Samsun in the 2023-2024 academic year. Three measurement tools were used in the research. Personal Information Form aims to reveal demographic information (gender, marital status, educational status, age, seniority year, status of receiving STEM training). The STEM awareness of the teachers was determined using the STEM Awareness Scale, which consists of three subscales as Effect to Students, Effect to Lessons and Effect to Teachers. The attitude of teachers toward science teaching was also revealed using the Early Childhood Teachers' Attitudes toward Science Teaching Scale, which consists of two subscales as Self-Development and Self-Efficacy. According to the results, preschool teachers' STEM awareness and the attitudes of preschool teachers toward science teaching are above the moderate level. In addition, it was found that the subscales of STEM Awareness Scale, the effect to lessons and the effect to teachers varied according to the status of receiving STEM training, and seniority. The attitudes of preschool teachers toward science teaching was not found to vary according to the subscales of self-development and self-efficacy, as well as receiving STEM education, seniority. A statistically significant and positively weak correlation was found between STEM awareness and attitudes toward science teaching. In addition, the attitude toward science teaching was a significant predictor of STEM awareness. Keywords: Preschool; Preschool teachers; STEM awareness; Attitude toward science teaching