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The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of engineering design-based activities carried out in the sixth-grade Matter and Heat unit on the problem-solving skills of students, and the changes in the designing skills of students during these activities. This research, conducted by following the one-group pre-test -- post-test quasi-experimental design, was carried out with 23 students enrolled in a public school. Within the scope of the research, activities structured in line with the Matter and Heat unit learning outcomes were carried out for five weeks. The effect of the activities on the problem-solving skills of students was evaluated with the 'problem-solving skills test'. During the activities, 'worksheets' and 'design products' were used to evaluate the designing skills of students. The data obtained from the problem-solving skills test were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The engineering design process rubric was used to evaluate the changes in students' design skills during the engineering design-based activities. The results showed that there is a statistically significant difference between students' pre-test and post-test scores in the problem-solving skills test. It has been determined that engineering design-based activities carried out within the framework of the real-world problems contribute to the increase of engineering design skills of middle school students.

The purpose of this study is to examine changes in pre-service science teachers' entrepreneurship mindsets during engineering design-based activities. A holistic single-case study was used in the study. Twenty-eight pre-service teachers carried out engineering design-based activities (five weeks, 20 hours) in the science teaching laboratory practices course. The pre-service teachers' use of Entrepreneurship Mindsets (EM) in solving the water pollution problem during engineering design-based activities was examined in this study. Data were collected via engineering design challenge worksheets and public service announcements. The data were analyzed with the Extended KEEN Student Outcomes (eKSOs) rubric. Frequency tables were created in line with the sub-dimensions of EM (curiosity, connections, creating value, communication, character, and collaboration). As a result of the research, it was found that the pre-service teachers mostly used curiosity, connections, and creating value during the water treatment and wastewater assessment plant design process. Engineering is an important context for the development of EM as it creates various contexts that contribute to the development of these mindsets in pre-service science teacher education.

In this study, the role of science and computational thinking (CT) in teaching self-efficacy and design thinking variables were examined to explain the technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) knowledge forms needed by science teachers for integrated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) within the framework of the TPACK framework. 216 teachers working as science teachers in Turkey participated in the research. In the study, data were collected in an electronic form consisting of five parts. The model proposed in the research was tested with the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. The research showed that the self-efficacy of science teachers was related to technological pedagogical engineering knowledge (TPEK), T-integrated (I) STEM, and technological pedagogical science knowledge (TPSK). In addition, the self-efficacy of science teachers is also effective in design thinking. CT teaching self-efficacy has a positive effect on design thinking and the development of technological pedagogical mathematics knowledge (TPMK), TPEK, and TPSK structures. Design thinking skill is also related to TPMK, TPEK, and TPSK structures. These results can be a guide to ensure the effectiveness of professional development programs that will be prepared to improve science teachers' integrated STEM competencies.

This activity provides opportunities for middle school students to design bio-inspired, eco-friendly vehicles. Twenty-four 8th grade students (12 girls, 12 boys) engaged in the activity which was implemented in four class periods, 40 minutes each, in an elective Environmental Education course. During the activity, students engaged in engineering design process and they integrated eco-friendly systems that can be used to solve the problem of air pollution. In this process, the students researched and observed living organisms and made their designs inspired by the body and movement systems of grasshoppers, ants, spiders and red Japanese beetles, and added eco-friendly elements (such as solar panels, exhaust filtering systems, hybrid batteries, electric motors) to their prototype vehicles. Working as "engineers", students had the opportunity to gain knowledge and engage in engineering design practices. The activity helped students explore science concepts such as biomimicry, air pollution, and structural features of different living organisms. This study suggests the use of biomimicry design activities in STEM classrooms.

Problem Statement: Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education aims at improving students' knowledge and skills in science and math, and thus their attitudes and career choices in these areas. The ultimate goal in STEM education is to create scientifically literate individuals who can survive in the global economy. The identification of new learning outcomes, curriculum programs, and teaching practices needs to be clarified by the STEM education community. Media design processes are a potential teaching method in STEM education that requires learners to design digital media artifacts using a variety of technological tools. Purpose of the Study: This study investigates the impact of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) integrated media design processes on 8th grade students' attitudes toward science and technology classes, as well as their views about these design processes in after-school science activities. In addition, it demonstrates the opinions of the classroom teacher regarding the integration of media design processes in science classes. Method: Using an action research design, 21 secondary students from a public school participated in this 14-week study. The quantitative data that was collected from the student attitude survey for science and technology classes was analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while the qualitative data (student artifacts, PSA forms, semi-structured interviews, and field notes) was analyzed through open coding and thematic analysis respectively. Findings and Results: The findings indicated that STEM-integrated media design processes positively impacted the participating students' attitudes toward science and media design activities. In addition, students were more motivated and engaged in the media design processes, which improved their learning of science content and participation in class discussions. Conclusion and Recommendations: The literature in STEM education calls for new curricular activities and teaching practices as well as the integration of art in STEM. In addition, the visual technology industry in this century creates a job market for the STEM-literate people who are able to apply their knowledge of STEM fields in visual technologies and art. In response to these demands, the positive outcomes of media design processes used in this study offer an encouraging premise in meeting the objectives of STEM education.

There is an increasing awareness of out-of-school program value in enhancing student interest and understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This study examined the impact of an out-of-school STEM education program on student attitudes toward STEM disciplines and STEM careers. A STEM education program implemented at a public research university was designed to integrate STEM disciplines with hands-on problem-based activities. Design features included authentic learning contexts, engineering design processes, and content integration. Data sources included an attitude survey and interviews conducted with forty sixth grade middle school student participants. The analysis revealed significant differences between pre and posttests on student attitudes toward personal and social implications of STEM, science and engineering learning, and their relationship to STEM. Findings showed that the program contributed to students' developing interest in STEM fields, and helped them make connections between schoolwork and daily lives. Recommendations for future research on out-of-school STEM education programs were discussed.

The purpose of this study was to examine preservice teachers' perceptions of the support their teacher education programs provide for developing their technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK). The research was conducted with 215 preservice teachers in the last year of teacher education programs and teaching certificate programs in three universities in Turkey. Data sources were the synthesis of qualitative evidence (SQD) scale that was validated in the Turkish context as part of this study and the TPACK-practical scale. The strategies investigated in the SQD-model included: using teacher educators as role models; reflecting on the role of technology in education; learning how to use technology by design; collaboration with peers; scaffolding authentic technology experiences; and providing continuous feedback. The linear regression analysis revealed a positive relation between teacher education strategies and preservice teachers' TPACK. Reflection and teacher educators' as role models were the most frequently used teacher education strategies in teacher education programs included in this study. Results provided recommendations for further research on the connection between the teacher education strategies and the development of preservice teachers' TPACK in teacher education programs.

Background: Technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) is critical for effective teaching with technology. However, generally science teacher education programs do not help pre-service teachers develop TPACK. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess pre-service science teachers' TPACK over a semester-long Science Methods. Sample: Twenty-seven pre-service science teachers took the course toward the end of their four-year teacher education program. Design and method: The study employed the case study methodology. Lesson plans and microteaching observations were used as data collection tools. Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge-based lesson plan assessment instrument (TPACK-LpAI) and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Observation Protocol (TPACK-OP) were used to analyze data obtained from observations and lesson plans. Results: The results showed that the TPACK-focused Science Methods course had an impact on pre-service teachers' TPACK to varying degrees. Most importantly, the course helped teachers gain knowledge of effective usage of educational technology tools. Conclusion: Teacher education programs should provide opportunities to pre-service teachers to develop their TPACK so that they can effectively integrate technology into their teaching.