Investigation of the Effect of POE Application in Science Education on the Problem Solving Skills of 6th Graders

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of using Predict – Observe - Explain (POE) method in the unit of “Earth, the Moon and the Sun as the Source of Life’’ on the problem solving skills of 6th graders. Design & Methodology: In the study, quasi-experimental research has been used with a pre-test, post-test control group. The study group consists of 47 students who are 6thgraders in 2016-2017 educational year and a province in the western side of Turkey. The group with regular Science Program consist of 24 students (13 girls and 11 boys) and the group with Guess-Observe-Explain Method consists of 23 students (13 girls and 10 boys). In order to identify the problem solving skills of the students, ‘’The Inventory of Problem Solving’’ which was developed by Serin, Serin and Sayg？l？ (2010) has been used. The data which has been provided has been analyzed with single factorial covariance analysis by taking grades which were gained by participants from pre-tests under control. Findings: The research findings showed that it has been found out that there is a slight difference between the pre-test results and post-test results which were corrected according to pre-test results of the problem solving skills of the students. Implications & Suggestions: This findings showed that GOE method has positive effects on the problem solving skills of 6thGraders. Taking into account that the GOE method enhances problem-solving skills of students; The GOE method can also be used by researchers in other subjects of the science class