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Exploring Science Teachers’ Views on Design Thinking Oriented STEM Education Practices

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 11 - 24, 30.06.2025

Abstract

This study aims to explore science teachers’ perspectives on the implementation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) applications through a Design Thinking (DT) approach. Employing a qualitative case study design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 science teachers selected via maximum variation sampling, a purposive sampling strategy. Data were analyzed through content analysis. The findings reveal that science teachers generally perceived DT-based STEM applications positively, particularly in terms of enhancing instructional effectiveness. Participants reported that these practices supported both their professional and personal growth, fostered greater classroom interaction, and improved student motivation. Additionally, the teachers emphasized a strong connection between STEM activities and the development of computational thinking skills—especially in fostering algorithmic thinking, problem-solving, and systematic analysis. Despite these benefits, several implementation challenges were noted, including time constraints, curriculum overload, limited resources, classroom management issues, and occasional lack of student engagement. Overall, the study concludes that the design-based thinking approach serves an integrative function in embedding creative and computational thinking within STEM education, offering multifaceted benefits for both students and educators.

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There are 23 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Curriculum and Instration (Other)
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Kamil Doğanay 0000-0001-5027-4163

Murat Pektaş 0000-0002-7205-6279

Early Pub Date June 13, 2025
Publication Date June 30, 2025
Submission Date June 5, 2025
Acceptance Date June 12, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 8 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Doğanay, K., & Pektaş, M. (2025). Exploring Science Teachers’ Views on Design Thinking Oriented STEM Education Practices. International Journal of Scholars in Education, 8(1), 11-24. https://doi.org/10.52134/ueader.1714956