This research was conducted to compare two situations that seem to be independent from each other. In this context, the opinions and images of middle school 6th grade students towards scientists and the scientists profile in the Science, Technology and Society unit of the social studies textbooks (4th, 5th and 6th grades) that the students have been exposed to so far were compared. For this reason, the research was carried out according to the document analysis and holistic single case study method. The study group of the research consisted of 27 (female=14, 52%; male=13, 48%) students aged 11-12, determined according to the criterion-case sampling method; in addition, social studies textbooks (4th, 5th and 6th grades) created a Science, Technology and Society unit. Datas were collected through open-ended questionnaire, drawing and scientist identification forms. Documentary and descriptive analyzes were made on the obtained datas. As a result of the analysis, it was concluded that the opinions and images of the students towards the scientist and the profile of the scientist in the Science, Technology and Society unit largely overlapped. In line with these results, Social Studies textbooks should include scientists study in the area of social science as well as scientists study in the area of science, mathematics / medicine in the learning area of “Science, Technology and Society”.
Keywords: Social studies teaching, the learning area of Science, Technology and Society, characteristic features of scientists
|