Evaluation of Gifted/Talented Students’ Out-of-School STEM Education

STEM is an approach, which provides to integrate fundamental science and mathematics with design and applications of engineering and technology. When the literature is examined, it has been found that researches on STEM education to gifted/talented students is inadequate. Therefore, this study has been carried out in order to examine the benefits earned by gifted/talented students based on STEM education. In the study, case study model were used from qualitative research models. STEM education applications have been performed a total of 32 hours in 2 weeks. The participants consisted of 25 students (12 boys and 13 girls) diagnosed as “gifted/talented”. They did not participate in any STEM education before. Activity Assessment Forms were used for data collection instrument. In these forms, various questions addressed to students, which likely to ask learnings and benefits by students’ point of view. During the application of each STEM activity, a lesson plan for STEM education was prepared, engineering design cycle was followed and students made to complete the Activity Assessment Forms. Obtained qualitative data evaluated by using descriptive analysis technique. Consequently, it has been determined that STEM education applications improves the skills, in particular, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication. It also enhances educational attainments in science and math