Applying Relatedness to Explain Learning Outcomes of STEM Maker Activities

A growing interest has been observed among K-12 school educators to incorporate maker pedagogy into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to engage students in the design and making process. Both cognitive engagement and emotional engagement of students can be promoted through satisfying the psychological need of relatedness that concerns a sense of connection and belonging. How to support relatedness would influence the effective development of students’ cognitive competencies, namely creativity and critical thinking, and non-cognitive characteristics, namely interest and identity. Therefore, the present study investigated how two relatedness support strategies—real-world problems (RWP) and mentoring influence the development of student’s STEM-related cognitive competencies and non-cognitive characteristics in STEM marker activities. We implemented a 7-week intervention study with three classes of Grade 9 students (aged 13–15 years) in Hong Kong (n = 95). Three intervention conditions were designed in the experiment, comprising textbook problem (TBP), RWP, and RWP with mentoring (RWPM). Our analysis showed that (i) the differences in creativity among the three groups were non-significant, (ii) the RWP and RWPM groups showed stronger critical thinking than the TBP group, and (iii) the RWPM group exhibited stronger STEM interest and identity than the other two groups. This study revealed the effectiveness of adopting RWP strategy in developing secondary students’ perceived cognitive competencies (e.g., creativity and critical thinking) and the feasibility of employing a mentoring mechanism for cultivating learners’ perceived non-cognitive characteristics (e.g., STEM identity and interest). Hence, we also offered practical suggestions for teachers.

Recognizing and Developing STEM Talent Among Diverse Populations

STEM talent is often overlooked in underrepresented students resulting in limited opportunities to increase STEM interest and talent inside or outside of school settings. Academically qualified underrepresented students are less likely to be recommended for advanced placement STEM courses causing a racial divide and contributing to a lack of belonging in these courses. Methods to encourage STEM talent development and persistence in students from underrepresented populations include frontloading talent development interventions, creating afterschool or informal STEM programs, providing enrichment opportunities for highly capable students, and creating equitable access to advanced courses. This chapter presents the characteristics of STEM talent in underrepresented populations and strategies to identify high potential students, provides frontloading examples to develop STEM talent, offers examples of effective programming, and suggests instructional strategies to encourage STEM talent development in diverse populations.

ENCOURAGING STEM INTEREST AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH JIC AND YSSC COMPETITION

To cultivate STEM interest amongst high school students, a STEM carnival organized by PPST, UMS was conducted through Junior Innovator Competition (JIC) and Young Scientist Sci-Show Competition (YSSC). The competitions were participated by high school students from Sabah, Sarawak, and F.T Labuan. JIC requires a poster presentation for prototype innovation while YSSC requires a short video presentation about science knowledge learned in the school syllabus. The objective was to gauge JIC and YSSC effectiveness in students’ interest in STEM. A three-star rating Malaysia Research Assessment Instrument (MyRA) questionnaire resulted in 80% total feedback (Q1-Q6), as a principal in MyRA. The result indicated knowledge, attitude, skills, and aspiration (KASA) transformation amongst the students. Three main aspects were summarized from Q1-Q6: learning (Q1 & Q2), interpersonal skill (Q3 & Q4), and STEM interest (Q5 & Q6). Around 82% of students agreed that JIC and YSSC were able to increase their knowledge, interpersonal skills around 81%, as well as 84 - 88% in critical thinking. While 83.7% - 85.3% of students satisfactorily increased their STEM interest and 85% were willing to participate in future competitions. Interestingly, some ex-participants entered the PPST for Foundation in Science. Indeed, competitions such as JIC and YSSC have demonstrated an inclining STEM interest effect toward high school students.

PRInK: Environmental virtual interactive based education and learning model for STEM motivation

Pollution from quarry activities has a substantial environmental impact on many countries. This issue should be addressed accordingly as its impact may introduce various health-related problems to the surrounding community. One alternative is to increase awareness for the younger generation and society at large. However, environmental data modelling, specifically on quarry activities, has thus far targeted engineers and professionals, not school children, such as for knowledge exploration or learning material. At the same time, the number of students enrolling in STEM courses is continuously declining. Hence, this research aims to develop the environmental virtual interactive based education and learning model called PRInK to foster STEM education. Five components of the proposed model were identified: a) Computer-Assisted Learning; b) Motivation Level; c) Green Environmental Data; d) Learning Outcome; and e) Problem Context. The actual environmental scientific data were used in the simulation and visualisation. Experts in these fields verified the components. The result of the analysis reveals 17 groups of elements, which were further categorised into 58 sub-elements. The model then was validated through prototype development and users validation. The testing and validation of the prototype were carried out on secondary school children, with the results proving the usability and practicality of the model and showed the increased STEM motivation and interest. The PRInK model and the prototype increase society’s awareness about environmental issues starting from school, increase STEM interest and improve the overall quality of life through a shared understanding for future generations.

Development of STEM Vocational Interests During Elementary and Middle School: A Cohort-Sequential Longitudinal Study

This study explains the development of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) interest among elementary and middle schoolchildren. The cohort longitudinal design was applied, starting with three cohorts of students—fourth (10 years), fifth (11 years), and sixth (12 years) grade—followed for three consecutive years. A total of 947 pupils responded to general and specific STEM interest measures. The results show that the level of STEM interest of children is generally low. Gender differences in STEM interest in favor of boys are apparent in all STEM areas, except science. The observed gender gaps in interest over time are constant, except for a small increase in gender difference of engineering interest. The average rate of change of STEM interest over time is mostly insignificant. Large interindividual variability of interests’ scores and slopes indicates that the level of STEM interest and its change over time are highly individualized phenomena.

Adding Reach and Ownership with Paper Airplane Circuits

University faculty members, librarians, and support staff developed hands-on, consumable, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curricular materials that could be inexpensively provided to large audiences. Goals included fostering STEM interest, teaching STEM principles, and encouraging continued exploration in home and school settings. This case describes design processes to realize these goals through basic circuits with paper airplanes and simple origami. Following several design implementations, kits costing ~$0.33 each were created and distributed to learners. Within these kits, learners created a back-lit paper airplane as they explored concepts regarding circuit definitions; open, closed, series, and parallel circuits; shorts; polarity; and current. Additional activities included LED bracelets, cubes, and greeting cards. Within this paper, we document successive design decisions, failures, reflections, and iterations that moved goals to reality. We also describe new design challenges, including waste management, sustained exploration, and advanced concept introductions.