The Impact of STEM Approach to Developing Mathematical Thinking for Calculus Students among Sohar University

Abstract

This study aims to prepare an educational program based on integrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to develop students’ mathematical thinking skills. It also aims to provide proposals that could have a major role in rebuilding some of the general features on which mathematics curricula can be built according to the STEM approach. The study used an experimental approach; the study sample consists of 121 students in a Calculus course. The participants were grouped purposefully into 50 control group and 71 experimental group. Results showed that the students in the experimental group who were exposed to the STEM approach surpassed the control group students who studied in the traditional way. Findings also indicated that the educational STEM approach activities had a positive role in the process of learning and searching for various sources of information. Besides, the STEM approach engages students in observation, discovery, interpretation, and discussion; activities that help them solve various issues. The study therefore recommends that students also perform educational STEM based activities in other mathematics courses.