About
Prof. Dr. Mustafa YILMAZLAR is a faculty member at the Faculty of Education, Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Sakarya University. He holds the academic rank of Professor and is actively involved in teaching and research in science and physics education.
His research interests prominently include science education, physics education, teaching strategies (such as REACT and creative drama), student misconceptions, critical thinking development, and comparative curriculum analysis. He also has a strong background in superconductivity and materials science, particularly in the doping and characterization of Bi-based superconductors. His work bridges physics and pedagogy, focusing on improving science instruction at the elementary and secondary levels.
The analysis of his recent publications shows a clear trend towards educational research, especially curriculum comparisons (e.g., Turkey with Singapore, Canada, Estonia) and the impact of innovative teaching methods on student learning outcomes. Earlier works were heavily focused on the physical and mechanical properties of doped superconducting materials.
- International 'Physica C' journal's most cited scientist in 5-year period (2010)
- Publication Incentive Award from TÜBITAK (2012)
- Successful Academician Award from Sakarya University Faculty of Education (2007)
Prof. YILMAZLAR has supervised numerous master's theses on topics such as student misconceptions in force and motion, the effects of creative drama on learning, and the impact of programmed instruction. He has led research projects funded by the university, focusing on critical thinking in physics labs and conceptual misunderstandings in science. He teaches a range of courses including Physics I, II, and III, Introduction to Modern Physics, Teaching Practice, and specialized graduate courses in science education.
He has served on editorial boards for journals such as Sakarya University Journal of Education, Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, and American Journal of Physics and Applications, reflecting his dual expertise in education and materials physics.
