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A Study of Project-Based STEM Learning for Senior High School Students in Taiwan

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of incorporating the Project- Based Learning (PBL) with STEM activity (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) for senior high school students. It attempted to explore the effects of the PBL on students’ academic performance and performance of learning process.The project of “Cup Speaker” was designed for this study. There were 40 students from National Pingtung Girls Senior High School and 44 students from National Nei-Pu Agricultural-Industrial Senior Vocational High School in Taiwan. The competition of creativity design for the “Cup Speaker” was carried out for four weeks. The STEM activity was incorporated with PBL strategy and websites. In addition, the researcher played a role of tutor in this project to help solve students’ problems. Content analysis was adopted to analyze students’ projects and learning processes of STEM websites followed by questionnaire and interview to explore students’ learning satisfaction. The major findings of the study were: 1. students from different educational systems demonstrate different characteristics of works; 2. DIY is the most critical design factor of STEM in PBL; 3. technology is discussed the most, whereas mathematics is discussed the least on the forum of the website; and 4. “teaching material design of STEM activity” is the most significant factor of students’ learning satisfaction. Keywords: STEM, Project-Based Learning (PBL),

Research Background and Motives

In recent years, the U.S. has placed emphasis on the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and such focus is related to the fundamental concept upon pragmatism education. Most Americans agree that educating students in the STEM education is very important to U.S. competitiveness and economic prosperity1. Marshall also mentioned that nations must transform STEM education and talent development to nurture a more blended generation of STEM talent, innovation and entrepreneurial leadership2. The goal of the U.S. is to be the leader of global technology. The K-12 Engineering Education Programs (KEEP) Seminar Series for high school juniors and seniors provide students with opportunities to observe research presentations by scientists and engineers in a wide array of specialties in order to understand how the STEM disciplines are integrated and to understand the possibilities for their future career paths3. In Taiwan, since the pressure

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Lou, S., & Chuang, S., & Meng, H., & Yeh, R. C., & Tseng, K., & Chang, C. (2010, June), A Study Of Project Based Stem Learning In Taiwan Paper presented at 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, Kentucky. 10.18260/1-2--15912