The Impact of Science Fair Activities on Secondary School Students’ Science Skills and Problem Solving Skills Perceptions

Purpose: When the literature is examined, it is clear to see that out-of-school activities and learning environments as well as science lessons are important to develop students' science skills and problem-solving skills. Especially, in recent years, it is thought that increasing the number of science fair activities contribute to develop of science skills as students’ problem solving and scientific process skills. In this context, the purpose of this study is to determine the impact of science fair activities on the perceptions about secondary school students’ science skills and problem solving skills. Design & Methodology: In this research, it was used pre-test and post-test experimental design which are experimental designs. The study group of research is composed by 43 students who were participating to science fair activities on extracurricular time, and studying in a secondary school located in the Ivrindi District of Bal？kesir Province during the academic year of 2014-2015. In the determination of study group, the criterion sampling method was used. “My Science Skills Scale” and “Problem Solving Skills Perceptions Scale for Secondary School Students” was used as the data collection tools in the research. The t-tests for dependent groups and descriptive analysis were used on data analysis. Findings: In the research, as a result of the science fair activities, it was found out that there is meaningful difference between pre-and post-test average scores of the students’ science skills. In addition to this finding, it was found out that there is meaningful difference between pre-and post-test average scores of the students’ problem solving skills perceptions. Implications & Suggestions: As a result of the research, it was determined that science fair activities became effective on perceptions about students’ science skills. On the other hand, the science fair activities have effect on the students’ problem solving skills perceptions. Based on these results, investigating science fair activities on the development of other skills related to science as well as science skills, problem solving skills and its effect on affective variables, and to increase the number of science fair activities are suggested