Promoting problem solving and thinking competencies for the middle school students using STEM activities in the Moderate Class, More Knowledge project.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the problem solving and thinking competencies of the students using STEM activities in "The Moderate Class, More Knowledge" project of the Thakhanthowittayakarn School, Thailand. The participants were 20 middle school students who were pleasured to join the activities. The STEM activities applied in this study were adjusted from online resources and the STEM activities of the institute for the promotion of teaching science and technology (IPST). The five STEM activities were conducted in 20 hours, comprised of the following: young designer contest, mobility in the time of flood, balloon powered car, balloon rocket, and rubber band powered car. Multi-rater approach was used to investigate the students' problem solving and thinking competency. Self-checklists, observer-checklists and teachers-questionnaire with five rating scales were used as the study instruments. The analysis method is based on a handbook of a competency appraisal for Basic Education students developed by the OBEC. Percentage, mean and standard deviation were reported; the students' competencies were considered into three levels which were good, fair and unsatisfied. Findings revealed that 75% of the students were in good level, and the rest were in fair level for problem solving competency. According to thinking competency, 85% of the students were in good level and 15% were in fair level. The after action review (AAR) were also presented in this study. The result implied that STEM activities could be appropriate for fostering the students' competencies. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.