The Impact of Educational Animated Films on Eighth-Grade Students' Science Proficiency Levels in the Energy Transformations and Environmental Science Unit

This study investigates the effects of educational animated films on eighth-grade students' science proficiency levels and student perceptions within the "Energy Transformations and Environmental Science" unit of the Science course. The study employs the explanatory mixed methods research model, a type of mixed methods approach. The study group consists of 30 students (16 boys and 14 girls) from a state middle school in the central Ankara district during the 2023-2024 academic year. The sample was selected using a non-probability sampling method known as purposive sampling. The data for the study were collected using a success test consisting of 10 open-ended questions related to an illustration on "Energy Transformations and Environmental Science," prepared by the researchers, and a "Semi-Structured Interview Form for Educational Films in Science Education." The questions in the success test were evaluated by the researchers according to the science proficiency levels specified in the TIMSS 2019 report. SPSS software was used for quantitative data analysis, while content analysis was employed for qualitative data analysis. The results indicate that the application of educational animated films within the "Energy Transformations and Environmental Science" unit has a positive and significant impact on the science proficiency levels of eighth-grade students. Students have stated that this method helps them better grasp what they have learned; they find it enjoyable and memorable due to its visual and auditory elements, which facilitate learning, allow them to establish cause-and-effect relationships, and promote meaningful learning rather than rote memorization. The interviews conducted after the application revealed that using educational animated films in science classes contributes to learning and provides cognitive and affective gains for students. Promoting studies aimed at increasing the use of instructional technologies in Science classes and other subjects is recommended.