ENHANCING SCIENCE TEACHING EFFICACY OF PRE-SERVICE PRESCHOOL TEACHERS THROUGH INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE COURSE

Natural science is often overlooked in preschool education, despite its crucial role in developing young children's inquiry and exploration skills. This study aimed to explain the impact of inquiry-based science teaching activities on the science teaching efficacy of pre-service preschool teachers. Participants included 23 pre-service teachers enrolled in a preschool education undergraduate program at a university. Employing a pretest-posttest weak experimental design, data were collected using the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted, and quantitative and qualitative data were analysed comparatively. Results indicated a significant increase in participants’ science teaching efficacy following their engagement in inquiry-based activities. The findings highlight the effectiveness of structured, inquiry-centred coursework in enhancing pre-service preschool teachers’ confidence and competence in science teaching, underscoring the importance of embedding inquiry-based approaches within early childhood teacher preparation programs. Keywords: inquiry-based science education, science teaching efficacy, preschool teachers, early childhood teacher education