Approaches for Implementing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Activities among Middle School Students in Thailand

Abstract

STEM education is a pedagogical philosophy which aims to draw the interrelationship between science, technology, engineering and mathematics to solve complex problems in real life situations. In order to use STEM education to foster students' learning, the researchers designed STEM activities for middle school students related to the concept of force and motion in three different approaches: a linear model, a jigsaw learning and a stand-alone engineering design activity. To compare the effectiveness of the three approaches, the researchers analysed students' reasoning and problem-solving scores gained before and after doing the activities. The result showed students participating in the linear model and in the jigsaw learning significantly outperformed those in the stand-alone engineering design activity. In addition, when comparing conceptual development between those attending the linear model and jigsaw learning, the result showed that the former significantly outperformed the latter. It is therefore suggested that to maximise the effectiveness of STEM activities in promoting conceptual understanding as well as reasoning and problem-solving skills, teachers should adopt the linear model. However, when instructional time is limited, the jigsaw learning can be considered as an alternative approach. The stand-alone engineering design activity although can promote students' enthusiasm to learn, it may not sufficiently lead to the development of reasoning and problem-solving skills as expected.

Emotional, Attitude and Classroom Action Research Competency Conduction of Undergraduate Students Through STEM Education

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Attitudes of Ecuadorian Secondary School Teaching Staff towards Online STEM Development in 2022

“…The professional development of teachers in education has received much attention by critical stakeholders in STEML education reforms (Madani, 2020;Changtong et al, 2020). Teachers tend to have greater efficiency, confidence and pleasure in teaching STEM when they have had prior STEML content knowledge (Margot & Kettler, 2019).…”

Interests of Croatian primary school pupils about elective Technology Teaching and school activities

“…Therefore, it is necessary to implement engineering and technological approaches in schools, in order for students to achieve the most successful results and be ready for further education and future work in sectoral areas. The concept of education in unified natural and technical areas is not properly understood and there is no clear vision of the development of this concept even among those who consider it important, and equally, due to lack of cooperation of all stakeholders in the education system, very little evidence schools (Changtong et al, 2020). Research in the United States points out that there is a declining number of students in education who are interested in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (Roberts et al, 2018) while demanding that education in prominent disciplines become and remain a priority (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018).…”