Determining the factors affecting the interests and views of secondary school students towards STEM professions

In this research, it was aimed to examine middle school students' interest in STEM professions (STEM-CIS) according to their gender, grade level and multiple intelligences. In addition, determining the views of middle school students towards STEM professions is also among the aims of the research. In the process of data collection and analysis, a combination (diversification) design was used, which is one of the mixed method researches in which qualitative and quantitative research methods are used together. In the research, quantitative and qualitative data were collected consecutively. The data collection tools used in the research were the STEM-CIS, the Multiple Intelligences Scale and a semi-structured interview form. As a result of the research, it was determined that middle school students' interest in STEM professions differed in each factor. When the students were analyzed according to the gender factor, it was seen that the interest in STEM professions was higher in males, whereas when analyzed according to the grade level factor, it was determined that the interest in STEM professions decreased as the grade level increased. In addition, it was also determined that the interest of students with different intelligence areas towards STEM professions was shaped at different levels. When student opinions were analyzed, it was determined those middle school students had superficial knowledge about STEM professions and those students who considered themselves competent in Science and Mathematics courses and who were interested in science were more willing to choose these professions in the future. In addition, it was also determined that technology-based professions among STEM professions are more popular among students, and that the opinions of parents and teachers play a major role in students' vocational preferences.