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The impact of problem-based learning strategies on STEM knowledge integration and attitudes: an exploratory study among female Taiwanese senior high school students

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Abstract

This study was designed to explore the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) strategies on the attitudes of female senior high school students toward integrated knowledge learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Content analysis and focus group methods were adopted as the research processes. Data and information about the STEM internet platform, an attitude scale and the contents of interviews were also collected for analysis. The subjects were 10th grade students at a girls’ senior high school who volunteered to organize teams for a Solar Electric Trolley Contest. A total of 40 students were grouped into 18 teams. The results of the study indicate: (1) that PBL strategies can be helpful in enhancing students’ attitudes toward STEM learning and the exploration of future career choices; (2) that the PBL teaching strategy helped to lead students step by step toward completing the contest’s mission and to experience the meaning of integrated STEM knowledge; (3) that not only that students can actively apply engineering and science knowledge, but also that students tend to gain more solid science and mathematics knowledge through STEM learning in PBL; and (4) that PBL can enhance students’ abilities and provide them experiences related to knowledge integration and application. Therefore, it is recommended that the curriculum at the girls’ senior high school include more content related to specialty subjects to enhance their technological capabilities. In addition, a learning mechanism should be offered to aid advisers or teachers in strengthening students’ integrated and systematic knowledge about STEM.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to extend our special thanks to the National Science Council for their kind financial support of this research (Code of Plans: 96-2516-S-020-001-MY3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Graduate Institute of Vocational and Technical Education, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Xue Fu Road, Lao Bei Village, Nei-Pu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan

    Shi-Jer Lou

  2. Department of Modern Languages, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, No. 1, Xue Fu Road, Lao Bei Village, Nei-Pu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan

    Ru-Chu Shih

  3. Department of Engineering Technology, College of Business & Technology, Western Illinois University, Knoblauch 135, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL, USA

    C. Ray Diez

  4. Department of Business Administration, Meiho Institution of Technology, No. 23, Ping-Guan Road, Meiho Village, Nei-Pu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan

    Kuo-Hung Tseng

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  1. Shi-Jer Lou
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  4. Kuo-Hung Tseng
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Correspondence to Shi-Jer Lou.

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Lou, SJ., Shih, RC., Ray Diez, C. et al. The impact of problem-based learning strategies on STEM knowledge integration and attitudes: an exploratory study among female Taiwanese senior high school students. Int J Technol Des Educ 21, 195–215 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-010-9114-8

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