Assesment of TUBITAK 4006 scence fair: Polatlı sample

In order to increase the value of science fairs in schools in recent years, these fairs should be carried out and followed up for science fairs in order to examine the students' perceptions, attitudes, views and effects on science success. Therefore in study, it is aimed to examine the opinion of teachers and students who participating as a organization TUBITAK (Scientific And Technological Research Council Of Turkey) 4006 Science Fairs Support Programme that inclusive varied categories, appealed to populace and based on the cooperation between TUBITAK and the Minister of National Education (MNE). This study, which was carried out as a case study of qualitative research methods, was conducted in Polatlı District of Ankara Province in 2016-2017 academic year. 10 school which conducted the TÜBİTAK 4006 Science Fair, and related secondary schools, high schools and special education institutions that subordinate to the Ministry of National Education where in county town consist the study group. The participants of this study are 60 teachers of whom 35 female and 25 male and 352 students of whom 167 female students and 185 male students that 5th,6th, 7th and 8th grade students. In this study, structured interview form were used, and it contains five questions for teachers and five questions for students. The findings were obtained by using the content analysis of responses that the participants state to the interview form. As a result, the main reason why the female and male teachers participate in science fairs is to share with students and visitors what they know. At the same time, the teachers who participated this study stated that they wanted to educate conscious students. Moreover the teachers stated that participating in science fairs has a positive effect on their own curriculum vitae. Teachers who participate in this study stated that they utilized from past studies and written or visual sources such as internet, TV, scientific journals during researching projects in science fairs. In addition, it was observed that the teachers paid attention to being voluntary of students and their high academic achievement while they were being selected in science fairs. Teachers stated that leading to students to the scientific studies and being an effective activity of the science fairs and providing to increase information students have are the positive aspects of science fairs. They also stated that difficulties of preparing the science fair report, required to work hard, insufficiency of the project budget and the obligations to do science fairs by some school principals as the negative aspects of science fairs. The reasons why students participate in science fairs are to learn new things, science fairs are fun and a sense of achievement are emphasized. While they were researching the projects in science fairs, students stated that they were seeking the subjects that they were interested in and that they were getting help from the family and teachers. While the male students mostly interviewed relevant experts or institutions when researching projects in science fairs, female students stated that they mostly use accessible resources such as internet, TV, scientific journals. Furthermore, it is concluded that families and teachers also have a effective role in determining the projects. The students stated that the positive aspects of the science fairs are the positive effect on academic success and the solution of problems encountered in daily life. However, the female students stated that they experienced difficulties in the application of scientific process skills, whereas the male students mostly expressed negative opinions about management. Additionally, both female and male students stated that the lack of coordination between the advisor and the other students was negative effect.