Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the aims and learning attainments of secondary school and high school students participating in science festivals. A case study approach which is one of the qualitative research methods was used in the research. This study was carried out in the science festival held in Elazığ, Turkey. The sampling consists of 39 students; 19 secondary school students and 20 high school students were selected on a voluntary basis from the secondary and high school students who were visitors of science festival. In the study, semi-structured interview form and demographic information form were used as data collection tool. Data were analyzed with content analysis. In this study, the aim of students participating in science festivals was acquiring new information, a sense of curiosity, applying the knowledge they acquire in everyday life, entering science competitions with new projects they develop from fresh ideas, and having an interest in science. Students express their learning attainments as acquiring new information, expanding their perspectives, learning about the uses of technology, using the information in daily life and exhibiting a positive attitude toward knowledge and nature.

Key words: Science festival, secondary school, high school, students, learning attainments.