Developing a process for designing and manufacturing technical device models in STEM education

Abstract

STEM education is a modern pedagogical approach aimed at developing students' competencies through the.integration of Science,.Technology,.Engineering, and Mathematics. However, a significant challenge in STEM instruction is the lack of effective technical equipment to support teaching, particularly technical equipment models that provide students with a more tangible and hands-on learning experience. This study.proposes a process for designing, manufacturing, and utilizing technical equipment models in STEM instruction, based on design thinking and situated learning methodology. The process consists of six steps: (1) Identifying needs and objectives, (2) Researching and brainstorming, (3) Detailed design and prototyping, (4) Testing, experimentation, and refinement, (5) Manufacturing the final product, and (6) Implementation and effectiveness evaluation. Following this process, the study has designed and developed models of electric motors to enhance students' creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and engagement in STEM lessons on the topic of Electricity and Magnetism.