C-STEM Studio: A Solution for Learning Computing and STEM Topics With Robotics and Embedded Systems

Author(s):  
Binsen Qian ◽  
Harry H. Cheng

In this article, C-STEM Studio, a platform for hands-on integrated learning of Computing, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with robotics, is presented. C-STEM Studio integrates many technologies, software, and curriculum that K-12 educators can use in their classroom. Ch, a C/C++ interpreter, provides an environment for computing. Linkbot Labs, Ch Linkbot Controller, and Ch Robot Controller allow teachers to utilize the robotics, such as Linkbots and Lego Mindstorms NXT and EV3, to help teach concepts in mathematics and science. RoboSim and RoboBlockly are simulation environments that allow students without physical robots to learn with virtual robots. Teachers can also teach embedded systems with Ch Arduino package, designed atop Ch. Also, easy-to-use resources explorers are built in the C-STEM Studio so that teachers and students can access teaching resources, students homework and materials come with those software. Finally, we provided a solution for Chromebook users to run C-STEM Studio through Raspberry Pi.

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-58
Author(s):  
Teruni Lamberg ◽  
Nicole Trzynadlowski

STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education has been gaining increasing nationwide attention. While the STEM movement has ambitious goals for k-12 education, a lack of shared understanding exists of what STEM is as well as how to implement STEM in the elementary classroom. This study investigates how seven elementary teachers in three STEM academy schools conceptualize and implement STEM in their classrooms. Teacher interviews were conducted. The findings reveal that the majority of teachers believe that STEM education involves integrating STEM subject areas. STEM activities consisted of student-led research and reading activities on STEM topics. Two teachers described STEM as involving “hands-on” science activities. Teachers at each STEM academy school conceptualized and implemented STEM differently. How STEM was implemented at each school was based on how teachers interpreted STEM and the resources they had access to. The STEM coaches played a central role in supporting the elementary teachers to plan and implement lessons. Teachers relied on them for ideas to plan and teach STEM lessons. The results of this study indicate that as more schools embrace the STEM movement, a unified understanding and resources are needed to support teachers.


Author(s):  
Tina P. Nantsou ◽  
Efstratios C. Kapotis ◽  
George S. Tombras

<p class="0abstract"><span lang="EN-US">Major international Research Centers run Continuous Professional Development Courses for Primary Teachers on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics activities and experiments. The projects and the hands-on workshops inspire teachers through cutting-edge science and technology to influence and spread the research culture to their students in return. The STEM lab in this paper was presented in a CERN program for Greek primary educators teaching Physics and IT. The research focuses on the teachers' electromagnetic lab and was tested by students in the classroom environment for two subsequent years. The results of both labs, of teachers and students, are examined regarding their basic understanding of Physics Laws and scientific research.</span><span lang="EN-US">  </span><strong><span lang="EN-US">  </span></strong></p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatimah Ahmad ◽  
Heather Greenhalgh-Spencer

This paper argues for a more complex literature around gender and math performance. In order to argue for this complexity, we present a small portion of data from a case study examining the performance of Kuwaiti students on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study and on Kuwait national math tests. Westernized discourses suggest that girls have a harder time in math classes; these discourses frame and are reified by prominent literature and practices within the field of math education research that suggest that women and girls need help in order to reach their potential in math. These Westernized discourses stand in contrast to the discourses in Kuwait that normalize women and girls as outperforming boys in all subjects – including all science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects. As our study shows, the reality is more complex. And, while the reality is more complex, we yet lack the discourses to understand this complexity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 1878-1885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngmoo E. Kim ◽  
Brandon G. Morton ◽  
Jeff Gregorio ◽  
David S. Rosen ◽  
Kareem Edouard ◽  
...  

A potential path for enabling greater creativity and collaboration is through increased arts and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) integration in education and research. This approach has been a growing discussion in US national forums and is the foundation of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics plus arts and design (STEAM) education movement. Developing authentic artistic integrations with STEM fields (or vice versa) is challenging, particularly in higher education, where traditional disciplinary structures and incentives can impede the creation of integrated programs. Measuring and assessing the outcomes of such integration efforts can be even more challenging, since traditional metrics do not necessarily capture new opportunities created for students and faculty, and the greatest impact may occur over a long period (a career). At Drexel University, we created the Expressive & Creative Interaction Technologies (ExCITe) Center as a standalone institute to pursue and enable such transdisciplinary arts–STEM collaborations, particularly with external arts and education partners. In this perspectives paper, we highlight a range of projects and outcomes resulting from such external collaborations, including graduate research with professional artists, undergraduate student work experiences, and STEAM-based education programs for kindergarten through 12th-grade (K-12) students. While each project has its own specific objectives and outcomes, we believe that they collectively demonstrate this integrated transdisciplinary approach to be impactful and potentially transformative for all levels of learning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Arís ◽  
Lara Orcos

Educational robotics (ER) is increasingly present in secondary education classrooms and has acquired greater projection, especially with the appearance of championships, such as FIRST® LEGO® League. These competitions are based on a globalizing focus of the different areas of the curriculum, therefore, we consider that it directly links with the achievement of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) skills. We present a research study that provides objective data based on the opinions of teachers and students that participated in this championship during the course 2017/2018 about its impact in the learning process. To this end, Spanish students and teachers answered questionnaires to collect their perceptions and assessments just after their participation. The results obtained allow us to conclude that both teachers and students believe this project promotes interest and scientific curiosity, as well as social skills through teamwork.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina N. Kovarik ◽  
Davis G. Patterson ◽  
Carolyn Cohen ◽  
Elizabeth A. Sanders ◽  
Karen A. Peterson ◽  
...  

We investigated the effects of our Bio-ITEST teacher professional development model and bioinformatics curricula on cognitive traits (awareness, engagement, self-efficacy, and relevance) in high school teachers and students that are known to accompany a developing interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The program included best practices in adult education and diverse resources to empower teachers to integrate STEM career information into their classrooms. The introductory unit, Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Testing, uses bioinformatics to teach basic concepts in genetics and molecular biology, and the advanced unit, Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Research, utilizes bioinformatics to study evolution and support student research with DNA barcoding. Pre–post surveys demonstrated significant growth (n = 24) among teachers in their preparation to teach the curricula and infuse career awareness into their classes, and these gains were sustained through the end of the academic year. Introductory unit students (n = 289) showed significant gains in awareness, relevance, and self-efficacy. While these students did not show significant gains in engagement, advanced unit students (n = 41) showed gains in all four cognitive areas. Lessons learned during Bio-ITEST are explored in the context of recommendations for other programs that wish to increase student interest in STEM careers.


2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuchi Grover ◽  
Roy Pea

Jeannette Wing’s influential article on computational thinking 6 years ago argued for adding this new competency to every child’s analytical ability as a vital ingredient of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning. What is computational thinking? Why did this article resonate with so many and serve as a rallying cry for educators, education researchers, and policy makers? How have they interpreted Wing’s definition, and what advances have been made since Wing’s article was published? This article frames the current state of discourse on computational thinking in K–12 education by examining mostly recently published academic literature that uses Wing’s article as a springboard, identifies gaps in research, and articulates priorities for future inquiries.


Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (19) ◽  
pp. 2496
Author(s):  
Genaro de Gamboa ◽  
Edelmira Badillo ◽  
Digna Couso ◽  
Conxita Márquez

In this research, we explored the potential of using a research-based teaching and learning sequence to promote pupils’ engagement in practices that are coherent with those of real world mathematical and scientific activity. This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematis) sequence was designed and implemented by pre-service teachers and science and mathematics education researchers with the aim of modeling the growth of a real population of rabbits. Results show explicit evidence of pupils’ engagement in relevant mathematical and scientific practices, as well as detailed descriptions of mathematical connections that emerged from those practices. We discuss how these practices and connections allowed the progressive construction of models, and the implications that this proposal may have for STEM task design and for the analysis of extra-mathematical connections.


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