STEM in Turkey: Initiatives, Implementations, and Failures

Abstract

The concept of STEM has gained extensive usage in Turkey after gaining popularity worldwide. The need for improvement in mathematics performance, as indicated by low PISA results, prompted the implementation of math-integrated education models within the Turkish Education System. This chapter aims to outline the system's impact on the implementation of STEM. Notably, the FATIH project has played a crucial role by equipping schools with modern technologies and distributing tablets to students. The contribution of the science centers is discussed. Science centers serve as a promising starting point for fostering STEM studies. However, significant obstacles to the implementation of the STEM model in Turkey lie in the high school entrance and university placement exam systems. These obstacles will be explained in detail within this chapter. Additionally, this section will explore the failures of the STEM approach and provide suggestions for its successful implementation. Moreover, the authors propose exploring the applicability of an Augmented STEM system to further enhance STEM education.