Science and Art Centers: Current Status, Problems, and Solution Proposals *

This study seeks to unveil the current status of Science and Art Centers (BILSEM). For this purpose, the BILSEMs were studied in terms of their physical environments, equipment adequacies, curricula, student selection and identification, selection of teachers, and parents-students-teachers collaboration. Furthermore, attempts were made to identify the problems faced by center administrators, teachers, and students in the functioning process of these centers that begins with student selection. This is a survey-model descriptive study with a sample of Science and Art Centers in seven cities (Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Malatya, Sanliurfa, Adana, and Trabzon) selected through random sampling from the seven geographical regions. A mixed research methods involving quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques was used. The questionnaires designed by the researchers for BILSEM administrators and teachers constitute the quantitative dimension of the study while the semi-structured interviews with the administrators and teachers constitute its qualitative dimension. The data obtained was discussed in the light of the relevant literature and solution proposals were put forward.