Determining the views, current situations, and needs of preschool teachers about STEAM education: Case of Turkey

This research aimed to determine preschool teachers' views, the current situation, and schools regarding STEM education. A case study, which is a qualitative research approach, was used for this research. The study group was determined by the purposeful sampling method. The research study group comprises 10 preschool teachers with STEM education courses. In the research, semi-structured interviews were conducted to determine preschool teachers' opinions. Semi-structured interviews lasted between 9 and 15 minutes. The interview was analyzed with content analysis. As a result of the research, it was determined that preschool teachers have limited knowledge about STEAM, have positive effects on children, have educational and activity needs, and have difficulty finding resources. According to teachers, STEAM activities for preschool students should be age/level appropriate, selected according to the student's interest, should include science and mathematics subjects, if necessary, the process should be gamified, children should have fun in the process, children should be taken to the center starting from the problem situation, supported by art and art and technological tools.