Developing Argumentation Skills in Place-Based SSIs: Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant in Sinop

In the current study, an expert-supported teaching program was implemented for the purpose of developing preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) awareness and argumentation skills about nuclear power plants (NPPs). The study was conducted in Sinop, a settlement that stands at the far north of Türkiye with its historical and natural beauties, where the construction of an NPP is a controversial issue. During the expert-supported teaching program, PSTs were given theoretical information and discussions on socioscientific issues (SSI) and nuclear energy in general, and the construction of an NPP in Sinop was held with the participation of four experts/researchers in the field. Following the implementation, PSTs were asked to develop arguments with their knowledge and experience about the construction of an NPP, and findings showed that the scientific communication between the experts and the PSTs revealed valuable contributions about the local SSI in terms of knowledge, awareness, beliefs, and behaviors. PSTs developed better arguments by evaluating the issue from different dimensions, and their willingness to take action about the issue and enthusiasm towards transferring the knowledge they learned to their environment were also developed.