An Investigation of Middle School Students’ Views About Konya Science Center

In this study, it was aimed to reveal middle school students’ views about Konya Science Center. The study was conducted with 40 fifth and sixth-grade students from a public school in the 2nd term of the education year 2017–2018. A case study methodology was used as a qualitative research design. As a data collection tool, a form including open-ended questions about Konya Science Center was used both before and after visiting the science center. Besides, semi-structured interviews were carried out with the students after the visit. A content analysis technique was used to analyze the research data. The findings showed that the participants had some experience about the affordances and limitations of science centers after the visit. Students expressed that science centers help them develop new scientific ideas and that they are interesting and intriguing. Also, they expressed that there are too many scientific activities to implement in the science center. Based on the research findings, school principals are suggested to increase the number of visits to science centers. Besides, it should be emphasized that science center visits are not just for fun but for having students learn and consolidate the curriculum learning objectives.