Research in Mathematical Education (한국수학교육학회지시리즈D:수학교육연구)

Korean Society of Mathematical Education (한국수학교육학회)
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Using Project-Based Learning Method As a Way to Engage Students in STEM Education

  • Received : 2019.03.27
  • Accepted : 2019.06.19
  • Published : 2019.06.30
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Abstract

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education has been at the forefront of K-12 curricula in the technology-rich 21st century, with emphasis on how these fields reinforce each other in preparing students for a dynamic future. However, there is a need for greater attention to STEM education research in the mathematics education community, in particular to pedagogical approaches that facilitate integrating the mathematics component of STEM education. Toward this end, the authors report the outcomes of a Project-based Learning (PBL) unit in which upper elementary students integrated STEM elements by researching, crafting, testing, and evaluating kites they created by applying scientific knowledge of aerodynamics and mathematical knowledge of polygons, surface area, graphs, and data analysis. This unit, which the authors developed, implemented, and assessed, demonstrates how STEM subjects and in particular mathematics can be effectively integrated in upper elementary school classrooms through PBL.

Keywords

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Figure 1. Examples of students’ kites

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Figure 2. Examples of Geogebra to find the surface area of the kite (Left) and TinkerPlots to check the relationship between the surface area of the kite and the flying time (Right).

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Figure 3. Students’ academic gains after the PBL unit

Table 1. Common Core State Standards for Mathematics Related to Kite Problem

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