Investigation of the attitudes and thought of physical educationand sports teacher candidates for non-preparing projects in physical education branch in TÜBİTAK competitions

The aim of this study is to examine the attitudes and thoughts of physical education and sports teacher candidates in order to the preparation of a project in the field of physical education for the high school students' research competition organized by TUBITAK every year. Research is a mixed research model designed in screening method. The study group of the study consisted of 321 students from 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students studying at Ardahan University School of Physical Education Sports and Caucasus University Sarıkamış School of Physical Education Sports. The data collection phase of the research consists of two parts: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative data of the research were obtained through the project competitions attitude scale and the qualitative data were obtained with the help of open-ended questions in the semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher. In the data analysis part of the study, it was determined that the data were parametric by looking at the distribution of the data in the analysis of the quantitative data obtained (p> 0.05). In the analysis of qualitative data, content analysis technique was used. As a result of data analysis; between the gender of teacher candidates 'attitudes towards project competitions, between the grade level of teacher candidates' attitudes towards project competitions, the attitudes of teacher candidates towards project competitions between the variables of taking courses or not taking courses there was no statistically significant differences. (p> 0.05). In addition, it was found that there was a statistically significant difference between athletes and inactive athletes. (p <0.05). As a result of the fact that teacher candidates were willing to participate in these project competitions as a consultant within the framework of the project competitions, the results of the project competitions positively affected the students' perspective on science, contributed to the development of scientific research. It improves self-confidence and responsibility of the students. In addition, because of the high level of group interaction among the students, it was seen that the friendship environment would be effective and gain strength, and the students would gain useful information by gaining experience. On the other hand to this, it has been concluded that the teachers who will participate in the project competitions as a consultant will also benefit from their professional life and that the teachers may be more beneficial as they have experience. It was concluded that students' critical thinking skills and various features such as communication developed during and after the process. It was concluded that if students and teachers could participate in this competition process, this would make them happy. Keywords: Project competitions, TUBITAK, prospective teachers' candidate attitudes, scientific research