STEM-Based Inclusive Education for Special Education Teachers in Kastamonu
Special education teachers coming to Kastamonu from different provinces participated in a workshop for teaching science and technology to individuals with special needs through a TÜBİTAK 4008 project.
Within the framework of the project carried out in Kastamonu under the TÜBİTAK 4008 Program, teachers coming from different provinces of the country went through a comprehensive training process to convey the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, astronomy, and robotics to students with special needs.
Objective and Scope of the Project
The "Overcoming Obstacles with STEM-3" project, implemented under the leadership of the Provincial Directorate of National Education, aims to provide science education to individuals with special needs.
Twenty-four special education teachers and six individuals with special needs, coming from twenty different provinces of Turkey, received theoretical training at the Assessment and Evaluation Center.
Practical Studies of Teachers
Project coordinator Çağrı Avan emphasized that science education in special education should be disseminated and stated that teachers experienced learning-by-doing.
Within the forty-hour training program, the focus was on the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, astronomy, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Astronomy and Observation Activities
Bilim Esenler astronomer Emre Arıtoprak stated that they shared their experience in astronomy with the teachers and conducted various STEM-themed workshops.
Within the scope of the training, daytime Sun and nighttime Moon observations were made with telescopes, and awareness-raising activities that could be implemented in schools were discussed.
Observations and Goals of Teachers
Fatma Gülşah Honi, a teacher for the hearing impaired coming from Antalya, expressed that the acquired knowledge will make a great contribution to the auditory and visual development of the students.
Muhammed Murat Ürken, a special education teacher participating from Batman, stated that he is looking forward to applying the engineering, science, and artificial intelligence applications he learned in his classroom.