STEM Education

About Us

The STEM Education research group is part of the academic development and educational research under the Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Syiah Kuala University. This research group focuses on developing interdisciplinary learning and research that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or the STEM approach.

With the increasing complexity of global challenges in the era of technology and information, the STEM education approach is one of the main strategies in preparing generations of scientists, teachers, and professionals who can think critically, creatively, collaboratively, and innovatively. This research group is a scientific platform to support curriculum development, learning models, and research supporting science literacy and 21st-century skills.

Research Focus

The research focus of the STEM Education research group covers a variety of interdisciplinary topics oriented towards improving the quality of science education and strengthening learner competencies, including:

🎓 Physics and STEM Learning Innovation

• Development of project-based learning and problem-solving models.
• Integration of digital technology in science learning: simulation, multimedia, and virtual laboratory.
• Implement the STEM approach in the school and college physics curriculum.

👩 Media and Props Development

• Design and testing of physics teaching aids based on local materials.
• Development of ICT-based learning media, augmented reality (AR), and interactive software.

📊 Learning Evaluation and Science Literacy

• Analysis of students’ critical and creative thinking skills in physics learning.
• Development of STEM competency and science literacy assessment instruments.
• Classroom action research (PTK) and performance-based assessment.

🏫 Strengthening Teacher Competence and Teacher Candidate Education

• STEM training for physics and science teachers.
• Development of contextual and local wisdom-based physics teaching materials.
• Study of teacher training needs in disadvantaged and 3T areas.

Activities and Programs

This research group actively organises activities that are academic, educational, and applicable, among others:

• Regular Discussions and Seminars: Discuss theories, methods, physics and STEM education research results from students and lecturers.
• Learning Media Development Workshop: Training activities on developing teaching aids, interactive modules, and utilising educational applications.
• Educational Research Internship and School Collaboration: Collaborative activities between master students and partner schools for implementing and evaluating STEM-based learning.
• Teacher Training and Community Service: Counselling and training for physics and science teachers in Aceh and surrounding areas to improve the quality of learning.

Supporting Facilities

• Physics and STEM Education Laboratory: Equipped with teaching aids, learning simulators, and innovative learning experiment rooms.
• Simulation Software and Multimedia: PhET Simulations, GeoGebra, Arduino kits, and other interactive teaching applications.
• Micro-Teaching Room: Used for teaching practice and teacher training.

Research and Innovation Roadmap

• Local problem-based contextual STEM learning model innovation.
• Development of digital media and 21st-century skills assessment instruments.
• Integration of AI technology and data learning analytics in STEM learning evaluation.