Why Engineering-Based Learning Can Revolutionize STEM Teaching in High Schools

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Chin ◽  
Ibrahim Zeid ◽  
Claire Duggan ◽  
Sagar Kamarthi
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Real World ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
School Level ◽  
Teaching Pedagogy ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Stem Teaching

For many years, literature has documented the benefits of project-based learning (PBL) and its impact on student learning especially at the high school level. More often than not however, students are still losing interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education because current educational teaching pedagogies have become antiquated and are not impacting student learning, as it should. With that said, our discovery through elicitation of high school educators has cited the main reason for such disinterest is due to the inability of students to connect STEM abstract concepts and theory with STEM application to appreciate the value of learning STEM. With access to information easier than ever, students are forgetting that learning is not about getting the right answer but understanding how to solve a complex problem. In the past, PBL has benefited students in engaging them in hands-on learning however, with a more complex paradigm shift in student learning style, PBL and lecture-based learning are no longer the most effective methods of teaching. Engineering-based learning has the opportunity and potential to modify STEM education and revolutionize STEM teaching pedagogy by changing the one-size-fits-all model to an individual, student-centered learning approach where education is mass customized. This paper discusses a new teaching pedagogy dubbed Engineering-Based Learning (EBL) that is a more systematic approach to high school STEM teaching for open-ended problems. This paper presents the EBL model, the EBL tools, and its impact thus far on high school students. It also presents sample feedback from both teachers and students and how it has influenced their outlook of engineering and STEM in the real world. The purpose of this paper is also to disseminate this new teaching pedagogy to support the notion that STEM education can be successfully taught and provide students with a structured, systematic, hands-on approach, as well as the appropriate tools and resources allowing them to connect complex STEM theory and real-world application.

A Project-Based Learning STEM Program for Middle and High School Students

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Gharib ◽  
Gerald Benjamin Cieslinski ◽  
Jowaher Al-Marri ◽  
Brady Creel
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
School Students ◽  
Science And Engineering ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Engineering Projects ◽  
Science Activities

For a successful STEM education, more hands-on and project-based programs are required to be developed and applied in classrooms. In this paper, a short STEM program called Engineering Explorers, aimed to familiarize young students with engineering and its background science is presented. The program included science activities, hands-on engineering projects and contests to challenge students’ math, science, and problem-solving skills. This program, which was developed and conducted at Texas A&M University at Qatar, has shown high impact in motivating students to learn more about science and engineering. Throughout the program, students learn science concepts, design, teamwork and creativity through interactive activities. Built around the engineering design and fabrication processes, Engineering Explorers teaches students how to solve problems systematically and understand how to implement STEM basics into their future science projects. With a theme of using technology for coastal cleanup, the students designed a battery-powered hovercraft capable of cleaning a coastline; a serious problem in Qatar. The students researched hovercraft theory and ways in which components of the hovercraft contribute to how it works. They implemented their designs using 3D printing technology. The details of the program including the contents, preparation, guiding the students during the workshop, developed hovercrafts, end of program competition, and sample survey outputs are presented.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF PROJECT-BASED ACTIVITIES IN DEVELOPING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ENERGY LITERACY

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 867-877
Author(s):  
Kuen-Yi Lin ◽  
Shao-Chuan Lu
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Teaching Experiment ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Senior High School ◽  
School Students ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Energy Literacy ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Senior High School Students

Energy literacy is a key factor in ensuring the protection of the natural environment. Numerous studies on energy literacy have demonstrated the development of instructional methods to promote the willingness to save energy as a critical research subject. Through a project-based activity, this research explored how hands-on activities improve the energy literacy of students. A quasi-experimental design was adopted, namely a pre-test and post-test nonequivalent control group design. In total, 77 senior high school students participated in a 6-week teaching experiment. A single-factor analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multiple regression analyses were employed to analyze the collected data. The main findings were as follows: (1) Project-based hands-on activities helped improve the energy literacy of senior high school students; however, the effect was not statistically significant in both experimental and control groups. (2) The key factor influencing the energy conservation behavior of senior high school students was energy-related attitudes following the project-based learning process. Keywords: Energy literacy, project-based activity, senior high school students, solar-powered insect trap.

High School Optogenetics Workshop Protocol v1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liudi not provided not provided Luo ◽  
Bryce W Hina ◽  
Brennan W McFarland ◽  
Jillian C Saunders ◽  
Natalie Smolin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
School Level ◽  
High School Level ◽  
School Students ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Hands On Learning

Although the field of neurotechnology is predicted to grow at a tremendous rate and become a part of our everyday lives, we have not witnessed an equivalent growth rate in neuroscience education at the high school level. This represents a missed opportunity to have an educated public that understands the application and benefits of these technologies, as well as educated students who are able to fill the predicted demand in neurotechnology jobs.There exists a need for hands-on, active learning-based approaches for demonstrating neurotechnology and neuroscience principles to high school students. Here, we describe how to build a low-cost assay and how to run a high school workshop to introduce students to a particular neurotechnology: optogenetics. In the workshop, students use light to activate different neurons in the nervous system of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and use their own cell phone to capture and annotate the behaviors driven by each type of neuron.Our workshop can be adopted in outreach programs to provide a low-cost hands-on learning tool to demonstrate optogenetics and neuroscience concepts to high school classrooms. Additionally, the optogenetics assay may be adopted by resource limited labs looking to perform optogenetics experiments.

scholarly journals The Effect of STEM Project Based Learning on Self-Efficacy among High-School Physics Students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader Ale Ebrahim ◽  
Mohd Ali Samsudin ◽  
Seyedh Mahboobeh Jamali ◽  
Ahmad Nurulazam Md Zain
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
School Level ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High School Level

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Project-Based Learning (PjBL) is increase effectiveness, create meaningful learning and influence student attitudes in future career pursuit. There are several studies in the literature reporting different aspects of STEM into a PjBL pedagogy. However, the effect of implementing STEM PjBL in terms of improving students’ skills in self-efficacy levels in physics mechanics at high school level has not been demonstrated as expected in the previous literature. This study followed a quasi-experimental research method. Bandura’s social cognitive theory is used to assess and compare the effect of STEM PjBL with conventional teaching method on students’ self-efficacy level in learning physics among over 100 high school students. The result illustrated that STEM PjBL improve students’ self-efficacy to solve physics problem. Also, the study proposes a guideline for future research.

scholarly journals Project-based learning in the classroom: a case study at High school level

Aula Abierta ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-438
Author(s):  
Verónica Basilotta Gómez-Pablos ◽  
Eva María Torrecilla Sánchez ◽  
Ana García-Valcárcel Muñoz-Repiso ◽  
Azucena Hernández Martín
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
School Level ◽  
First Year ◽  
High School Level ◽  
School Students ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative

This research presents the results of a case study that analyses the Solidarity Atocha project, which was implemented at a school in Madrid, Spain, and in which 114 first-year High school students participated. The main objective of this study is to analyse the experience of students that participated in the Solidarity Atocha project and to understand how they evaluated it and how satisfied they were with it. The method applied in this case study is a mixed one that used both qualitative and quantitative techniques. A semantic differential and a semi-structured interview were used to collect data. In general, the results obtained reveal a very positive evaluation from the students, mainly in terms of teamwork and the use of digital tools. However, they encountered some difficulties with regard to the time spent on the project and to guidance provided as they worked on it. Inferential analyses show significant differences between the team groups.

scholarly journals Engaging Underrepresented High School students in Data Driven Storytelling: An Examination of Learning Experiences and Outcomes for a Cohort of Rising Seniors Enrolled in the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP)

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Dierker ◽  
Nadia Ward ◽  
Jalen Alexander ◽  
Emmanuel Donate
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Real World ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Applied Statistics ◽  
School Students

Background: Upward trends in data-oriented careers threaten to further increase the underrepresentation of both females and individuals from racial minority groups in programs focused on data analysis and applied statistics. To begin to develop the necessary skills for a data-oriented career, project-based learning seems the most promising given its focus on real-world activities that are aimed at engaging student interest and enthusiasm. Method: Using pre and post survey data, the present study examines student background characteristics, learning experiences and course outcomes for a cohort of 33 rising high school seniors involved in a two-week, accelerated version of a project-based data analysis and applied statistics curriculum. Results: On average, students rated the experience as rewarding and the vast majority (78.1%) felt that they had accomplished more than they had expected. Based on responses to both the pre and post course surveys, roughly half of the students reported increases in confidence in applied skills (i.e. developing a research question, managing data, choosing the correct statistical test, effectively presenting research results, and conducting a statistical analysis of data), while more than 80% reported increased confidence in writing code to run statistical analyses. Fully 84.4% of students reported interest in one or more follow-up courses with interest in computer programming being endorsed by the largest number of students (53.1%). Conclusions: These findings support previous research showing that real-world, project-based experiences afford the best hope for achieving the kind of analytic and statistical literacy necessary for meaningful engagement in research, problem solving and professional development.

scholarly journals Program Pendidikan Anti Korupsi pada Siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inayati Nuraini Dwiputri ◽  
Rizky Dwi Putri ◽  
Sri Umi Mintarti ◽  
Dian Rachmawati ◽  
Rizza Megasari
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Young People ◽  
Community Service ◽  
Educational Games ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
School Students ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
Hands On ◽  
New Generation

Abstract. Community Service Activities in the form of Anti-Corruption Education for High School Students (SMA) aims to: (1) Create young people who have democratic perspectives, attitudes and behaviors for the benefit of society, nation and state, have integrity, and are anti-corruption. (2) Bringing up a new generation that prioritizes services to the Indonesian people in general (3) Encouraging the birth of young political cadres who are intelligent, with integrity and anti-corruption at the level of high school students in particular. These goals can be achieved by using three methods, namely: training for high school students, simulations and anti-corruption educational games, and project based learning for the anti-corruption challenge. The results of anti-corruption education program activities in high school students include being able to provide understanding and motivation to students regarding anti-corruption attitudes through the provision of material and screening of anti-corruption films. This program is able to hone students to think critically and provide hands-on experience of corrupt practices through simulating anti-corruption games and working on project-based learning by creating posters in groups and presenting them.Keywords: Anti-Corruption, integrity, Project Based Learning.Abstrak.Kegiatan Pengabdian kepada masyarakat berupa Pendidikan Anti Korupsi pada Siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) ini bertujuan untuk:(1) Menciptakan  generasi muda yang memiliki perspektif, sikap dan perilaku yang demokratis untuk kepentingan masyarakat, bangsa dan negara, memiliki integritas,dan anti korupsi.(2) Memunculkan generasi baru yang mengedepankan pelayanan kepada masyarakat Indonesia pada umumnya.(3) Mendorong lahirnya kader politik muda yang cerdas, berintegritas, dan anti korupsi di tingkat siswa SMA khususnya. Tujuan tersebut dapat dicapai dengan menggunakan tiga metode, yaitu: pelatihan kepada siswa-siswi SMA, simulasi dan permainan pendidikan anti korupsi, dan project based learning untuk challenge antikorupsi. Hasil dari kegiatan program pendidikan anti korupsi pada Siswa SMA antara lain adalah mampu memberikan pemahaman dan motivasi kepada siswa mengenai sikap anti korupsi melalui pemberian materi dan penayangan film anti korupsi. Program ini mampu mengasah siswa untuk berfikir kritis dan  memberikan pengalaman langsung praktik korupsi melalui simulasi permainan anti korupsi dan pengerjaan project based learning dengan membuat poster secara berkelompok dan mempresentasikannya.Kata Kunci: Anti Korupsi, integritas, Project Based Learning.    

Pioneering Mars

2014 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 300-305
Author(s):  
Julie Cwikla ◽  
Scott Milroy ◽  
David Reider ◽  
Tara Skelton
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Science Teachers ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Mathematics Learning ◽  
Space Station ◽  
The United States ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
High School Science ◽  
School Students

Pioneering Mars: Turning the Red Planet Green with the Earth’s Smallest Settlers (http://pioneeringmars.org) provides a partnership model for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning that brings university scientists together with high school students to investigate whether cyanobacteria from Antarctica could survive on Mars. Funded by NASA, and aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards, this work engages high school students in every aspect of the scientific method, culminating with students designing and implementing experiments in a university lab – experiments that will be replicated on board the International Space Station. Beyond the potential scientific breakthroughs it may produce, Pioneering Mars provides a STEM education model for project-based learning using university and school partnerships. Our team consists of a university marine science professor, a STEM education researcher, four high school science teachers, and 85 high-achieving students. The model can easily transfer to leaders and learners across the United States who will be able to replicate and extend this effort in their own educational settings.

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