THE IMPACT OF ROBOTICS CODING AND 3D PRINTING STEM ACTIVITY ON 21ST CENTURY LEARNER SKILLS OF TEACHER CANDIDATES

STEM education focusing on students' 21st century skills aim to increase interest in engineering fields such as 3D printing and robotics coding, which have an important place in the future education system. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of 3D printing and robotics coding STEM activities on the 21st century learner skills of teacher candidates and its sub dimensions (Autonomous, Cognitive, Innovativeness, Flexibility, and Collaboration). 37 science teacher candidates participated in the study which lasted 13 weeks. In this study, mixed research method was used. Quantitative data was obtained through 21st Century Learner Skills Use Scale and qualitative data was taken from the field notes and semi-structured interview. According to the study's findings, teacher candidates used the 21st century learner skills and its sub dimensions at an advanced level. Within the scope of the study, 3D printing, and robotics coding trainings were given to science teacher candidates within the scope of STEM education and activities were made within the scope of these trainings. Four activities were done for 3D printing and three activities for robotics coding. Out of 3D printer programs, 3D-Builder and Zaxe (Destop) PLA were taught. Arduino-IDE and Fritzing for circuit diagram from robotic coding programs were taught. With robotics coding and 3D printing STEM activities, teacher candidates improved 21st century skills such as critical thinking, collaborating, communicating, productivity and creativity. In addition, they have a positive attitude towards science-technology- engineering-mathematics.