Determining the levels of pre-service science teachers' scientific literacy and investigating effectuality of the education faculties about developing scientific literacy

The term "scientific literacy" has become a dominant educational slogan and a major goal for science education in many countries over the past two decades. Although a scientifically literate society is an ultimate goal of science education in Turkey, as well as in other countries, there is not much information on scientific literacy levels even for people who deal with science first-hand. Whether people who deal with science, such as scientists and science teachers, have adequate levels of scientific literacy is still open to investigation. This study aimed to examine scientific literacy levels of pre-service science teachers at different grade levels (different class, eg., first year Science Teacher Training Departments' students). One of the aims of this study is investigating effectuality of the education faculties about developing scientific literacy. The study examined whether there is a statistically meaningful difference among science literacy levels of pre-service science teachers at different grade levels. The data obtained from the study contributed to determine at what levels scientific literacy of pre-service teachers were. Furthermore, it provided to be observed how the education in the Faculty of Education had affected scientific literacy levels of pre-service teachers as well. So, it is thought to make contribution to understanding how Education Faculties could perform the mission for which they are responsible in providing these students as teachers of the future with scientific literacy being one of the features a good teacher needs to have. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.