Challenges Faced by Project Competition Participants and Recommended Solutions

The numbers of project competitions and interest in this kind of competition have been steadily increasing in Turkey. Accordingly, it is important to determine what challenges teachers and students may face while preparing themselves for project competitions, so that recommendations may be made to overcome these challenges. This study investigated challenges faced by secondary school students and their project advisors. The teachers' own solutions for the difficulties that were encountered are presented at the end. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used in the data collection and analysis processes. One hundred twenty-one teachers participated in this study. The identified challenges include the students' lack of requisite information and skills, insufficient financial and technical support, the students' lack of interest, and problems with cooperation from universities. The recommended solutions include improving financial and technical support, revising education programs to be more project-based, and strengthening cooperation with universities.