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Preschool STEM Activities: Preschool Teachers’ Preparation and Views

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine preschool teachers' STEM training, STEM classroom activities, lesson planning processes, problems, and evaluation strategies and methods during activities. The study sample consisted of 20 preschool teachers. Participants were recruited using criterion sampling, which is a purposive sampling method. This was a case study, which is a qualitative research method. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form. Qualitative data were analyzed inductive content analysis. Themes, categories, and codes were developed according to the content analysis results in line with the research purpose. Content analysis results showed that participants implemented different preschool STEM activities and used different strategies, methods, and techniques while implementing those activities. They also stated that they faced various problems during those activities. They stated that the STEM training helped them to develop professional competence. However, they had difficulty planning lessons in line with STEM education, due to lack of content knowledge.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge and thank the teachers for their participation in the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Faculty of Education, Muş Alparslan University, Muş, Turkey

    Bekir Yıldırım

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  1. Bekir Yıldırım
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Appendix 1: Preschool Teachers Interview Form (PTIF)

Appendix 1: Preschool Teachers Interview Form (PTIF)

  1. 1.

    Why is preschool STEM education important?

  2. 2.

    What skills do you think STEM education should help students develop?

  3. 3.

    What problems do you face when preparing preschool STEM lesson plans?

  4. 4.

    What factors do you consider when preparing preschool STEM lesson plans?

  5. 5.

    What kind of preschool STEM activities do you use in class?

  6. 6.

    What are the challenges of STEM activities?

  7. 7.

    What strategies, methods, and techniques do you use for preschool STEM education?

  8. 8.

    How do you evaluate your students’ performance on preschool STEM activities?

  9. 9.

    What do you think is the effect of the STEM-TPDP training on your professional development?

  10. 10.

    What are your classroom observations during preschool STEM activities?

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Yıldırım, B. Preschool STEM Activities: Preschool Teachers’ Preparation and Views. Early Childhood Educ J 49, 149–162 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01056-2

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