An interdisciplinary environmental education approach: Determining the effects of E-STEM activity on environmental awareness

Abstract

In addition to the studies conducted regarding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic), which is a new approach in education and attract attention worldwide, researches also concentrated on the effectiveness of the partnership of this interdisciplinary approach with other disciplines. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of an education carried out with an E-STEM activity on the environmental awareness of students and their opinions on E-STEM disciplines. In the study, a holistic multi-state pattern was used among the case study patterns. Data obtained from semi-structured interview and activity plans were analyzed using content analysis. There were 18 participants in the study conducted at a centralized public school in a province located in western Black Sea Region of Turkey, who were at 6th grade in the 2017-2018 Academic Year. The E-STEM activity prepared within the scope of the application was implemented for a total of 6 course hours for three weeks. At the end of the study, in the light of the information obtained from the participants who provide opinions on STEM disciplines, environmental awareness sub-dimensions and E-STEM, it was determined that the application had positive effects. Participants made positive statements about the environment, especially on recycling, and the use of the different disciplines together. Based on this research, it was suggested that it would be useful to develop studies on E-STEM.