ROLE OF SCIENCE COURSES AND TEACHERS IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ INTEREST AND ORIENTATION TOWARDS SCIENCE AND SCIENTISTS

In this study, students’ interest on science and scientists and the role of science courseand teachers on recognising scientists, encouraging and orientating students towards sciencewere investigated based on students’ and teachers’ thoughts. The sample of this study contains240 students and 57 science teachers that work in these schools which randomly selectedfrom clustered secondary schools in 2007. In this study qualitative and quantitative methodswere used together. According to results gained from this study it was determined that there isstudents’ interest and orientation towards science a little bit, but science courses and teachersaren’t effective on students’ interest and orientation.