The National Technology Initiative in Science Textbooks Prepared within the Framework of the Turkish Century Education Model
Chapter from the book: Orhan, A. T. (ed.) 2026. Science Education in the 21st Century: Innovative Approaches and Current Research.

Mehmet Akif Arduç
Ministry of National Education

Synopsis

The aim of this study is to examine how and in what contexts the emphasis on the National Technology Initiative is included in the 5th and 6th grade science textbooks, prepared within the framework of the Turkish Century Education Model and put into use starting from the 2024-2025 academic year. Using a document analysis design from qualitative research methods, the data was analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques. Within the scope of the research, the texts and visuals in the textbooks were classified according to relevant institutions (TUA, AYAP, etc.), domestic technology products (KAAN, GÖKBEY, HÜRKUŞ, etc.), and digital applications. According to the research results, the National Technology Initiative is emphasized a total of five times in three different units in the 5th grade textbook; these emphases were related to the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), the Lunar Research Program (AYAP), the National Combat Aircraft KAAN, and digital waste management systems (TABS, MoTAT). In the 6th-grade textbook, it was found that the concept was emphasized a total of three times in two units, and all of these references were related to aviation technologies (GÖKBEY, HÜRKUŞ, Vecihi K-VI). The findings indicate that the National Technology Initiative is presented in textbooks not only as a transfer of information but also as a motivational and context-based learning tool that enables students to understand scientific concepts (friction force, space research, etc.) through national projects. However, it was observed that the representations of the National Technology Initiative in the textbooks were largely limited to the field of space and aviation. As a result of the study, it is recommended that future textbooks include national achievements in different fields such as domestic seeds, medical devices, and agricultural technologies, thus reflecting this vision in a multi-dimensional way.

How to cite this book

Arduç, M. A. (2026). The National Technology Initiative in Science Textbooks Prepared within the Framework of the Turkish Century Education Model. In: Orhan, A. T. (ed.), Science Education in the 21st Century: Innovative Approaches and Current Research. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1232.c4981

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Published

March 17, 2026

DOI