The Innovation Skill Levels and STEM Career Interests of 8th Grade Students

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate whether the STEM career interests and innovation skill levels of 8th grade students differ significantly according to some demographic variables. The research was the correlational model. The data of the study were collected from a total of 1427 students from 20 different schools in five randomly selected districts of Mardin province located in the southeast of Turkiye. Innovation Skill Scale, Personal Information Form and STEM Career Interest Scale were used to collect data. As a result of the analyzes, both the innovation skill levels and STEM career interests of the students showed a significant difference in favor of those with fewer siblings. In addition, the innovation skill levels and STEM career interests of the students whose mothers did not go to school were lower. STEM career interest and innovation skill levels were in favor of students whose fathers are university graduates. In addition, the increase in the family income of the student was effective in increasing the innovation skill levels and STEM career interests. Activities and projects can be organized in schools to develop students' innovation skills and STEM career interests.