Perception of Teachers Towards STEAM and Inquiry-Based Teaching After STEAM Activities Training

The investigation delves into the impact of implementing STEAM education models, specifically tailored for educators, on their comprehension and conceptualization of STEAM principles and inquiry-based teaching. Qualitative data was gathered through responses to metaphorical inquiries within the study framework. The participant group comprised 43 teachers. Analysis of teachers’ metaphorical perceptions of pre- and post-STEAM education revealed the formation of eight categories from 34 STEAM-related metaphors and six categories from 36 inquiry-based teaching-related metaphors initially. Following the training, the number of categories expanded to eight for STEAM, encompassing 42 metaphors, while the inquiry-based teaching -related categories remained at six, derived from 36 metaphors. The findings suggest that STEAM encompasses orientation, algorithm, and renewal categories, embodying a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach. It entails generating products that harmonize multiple disciplines, fostering active participation, and supporting mutual reinforcement, necessitating skill development and problem-based learning. On the other hand, inquiry-based learning involves perpetually posing questions akin to children, engaging in investigative exploration akin to detective work, and results-oriented inquiry. This educational approach encourages inquiry, critical thinking, and experimentation with diverse problem-solving methodologies, fostering adaptability, providing novel perspectives, empowering individuals, and serving as the foundation for synthesizing varied ideas.