An investigation of various variabilitiesof science and mathematics teachers opinions on The Tubitak project activities

In this research, it was aimed to examine the opinions of middle school students and science and mathematics teachers about TUBITAK research projects in terms of various variables (gender, age, education level of parents, income level, provincial center, school type, seniority etc.). The research was conducted in 2014-2015 academic year. 458 middle school students and 150 teachers participated in science exhibitions in Kastamonu, Samsun and Ankara provinces selected by means of sampling for working purpose. In the study period, quantitative research and qualitative research methods were used together. A 5-point likert type "Attitude Scale Towards Science and Engineering Research Projects" was developed to quantify student attitudes using quantitative research methods. In order to measure teacher attitudes, "Science Festivals and Gentile Expression Scale for Science Projects" developed by Grote (1995) [Translation for Turkish by Tortop (2013)] was used. Semi-structured interview forms developed by researchers have been used in order to determine the views of students and teachers. In other words, the practices of the study lasted 3 months. Quantitative data obtained by the study were analyzed by SPSS 18.0 program and qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis method. Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U test were used for the nonparametric methods because the data were not normally distributed in the analysis of the study findings. The interviews with the students and teachers were made by transcripts. As a result of the research, students 'and teachers' attitudes towards the research projects and their thoughts were expressed under various variables. When a general evaluation is made, it has been achieved that the research projects are highly accepted by the students and teachers and that they have increased their success.