Enhancing middle school science education: Evaluating a competency-based STEM training program for teachers

This study investigates the feasibility of improving science teaching quality in middle schools by enhancing teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) through targeted professional development. In response to the growing demand for effective Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics...

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Main Authors: Mohamed A. Shahat, Mahmoud M. Emam, Marwa Alhinai, Ehab M. Omara, Nabil Alhabsi, Khoula Alhosni, Amur Al-Yahmedi, Mohammed Al-Amri, Sameh S. Ismail, Sulaiman M. Al-Balushi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Social Sciences and Humanities Open
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125001858
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author Mohamed A. Shahat
Mahmoud M. Emam
Marwa Alhinai
Ehab M. Omara
Nabil Alhabsi
Khoula Alhosni
Amur Al-Yahmedi
Mohammed Al-Amri
Sameh S. Ismail
Sulaiman M. Al-Balushi
author_facet Mohamed A. Shahat
Mahmoud M. Emam
Marwa Alhinai
Ehab M. Omara
Nabil Alhabsi
Khoula Alhosni
Amur Al-Yahmedi
Mohammed Al-Amri
Sameh S. Ismail
Sulaiman M. Al-Balushi
author_sort Mohamed A. Shahat
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the feasibility of improving science teaching quality in middle schools by enhancing teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) through targeted professional development. In response to the growing demand for effective Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, the study examines the impact of a competency-based STEM training program on teachers' PCK and science teaching competencies. Grounded in a quasi-experimental design, the study involved 48 junior high school teachers in Oman, randomly assigned to experimental (n = 24) or control (n = 24) groups. Data were analyzed using t-test and MANOVA, with pre- and post-test scores from the Teachers' PCK of STEM Test (TPCKST), revealing significant improvements (p < 0.05) in PCK among teachers in the experimental group compared to the control group. These findings demonstrate the potential of targeted, context-specific professional development programs in enhancing teaching quality. The study recommends integrating STEM-focused training into teacher education and in-service programs to advance STEM education and help science educators develop.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-7b757f6f8fa940f7a4e30f69d275d7452025-08-20T03:30:48ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-011110145710.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101457Enhancing middle school science education: Evaluating a competency-based STEM training program for teachersMohamed A. Shahat0Mahmoud M. Emam1Marwa Alhinai2Ehab M. Omara3Nabil Alhabsi4Khoula Alhosni5Amur Al-Yahmedi6Mohammed Al-Amri7Sameh S. Ismail8Sulaiman M. Al-Balushi9Sultan Qaboos University, Oman; Corresponding author.Sultan Qaboos University, OmanMinistry of Education, OmanSultan Qaboos University, OmanMinistry of Education, OmanSultan Qaboos University, OmanSultan Qaboos University, OmanSultan Qaboos University, OmanSultan Qaboos University, OmanSultan Qaboos University, OmanThis study investigates the feasibility of improving science teaching quality in middle schools by enhancing teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) through targeted professional development. In response to the growing demand for effective Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, the study examines the impact of a competency-based STEM training program on teachers' PCK and science teaching competencies. Grounded in a quasi-experimental design, the study involved 48 junior high school teachers in Oman, randomly assigned to experimental (n = 24) or control (n = 24) groups. Data were analyzed using t-test and MANOVA, with pre- and post-test scores from the Teachers' PCK of STEM Test (TPCKST), revealing significant improvements (p < 0.05) in PCK among teachers in the experimental group compared to the control group. These findings demonstrate the potential of targeted, context-specific professional development programs in enhancing teaching quality. The study recommends integrating STEM-focused training into teacher education and in-service programs to advance STEM education and help science educators develop.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125001858STEM educationTeacher trainingPCKScience teachingMiddle school teachersProfessional development
spellingShingle Mohamed A. Shahat
Mahmoud M. Emam
Marwa Alhinai
Ehab M. Omara
Nabil Alhabsi
Khoula Alhosni
Amur Al-Yahmedi
Mohammed Al-Amri
Sameh S. Ismail
Sulaiman M. Al-Balushi
Enhancing middle school science education: Evaluating a competency-based STEM training program for teachers
Social Sciences and Humanities Open
STEM education
Teacher training
PCK
Science teaching
Middle school teachers
Professional development
title Enhancing middle school science education: Evaluating a competency-based STEM training program for teachers
title_full Enhancing middle school science education: Evaluating a competency-based STEM training program for teachers
title_fullStr Enhancing middle school science education: Evaluating a competency-based STEM training program for teachers
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing middle school science education: Evaluating a competency-based STEM training program for teachers
title_short Enhancing middle school science education: Evaluating a competency-based STEM training program for teachers
title_sort enhancing middle school science education evaluating a competency based stem training program for teachers
topic STEM education
Teacher training
PCK
Science teaching
Middle school teachers
Professional development
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125001858
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