STEM project based learning: Towards improving secondary school performance in mathematics and science

Sune Von Solms; Hannelie Nel

doi:10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095580

STEM project based learning: Towards improving secondary school performance in mathematics and science

Sune Von Solms
, Hannelie Nel

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science

University of Johannesburg

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

South Africa is currently facing an education problem with one of the highest numbers of youth unemployment worldwide; as well as a shortage of specialized capabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In an effort to improve STEM education, universities are adopting schools in their communities with the aim to assist in the development of mathematics and science skills. This paper presents a study where a university-hosted STEM education initiative is incorporated within a secondary school science curriculum. The initiative exposes learners to STEM education and aids in the improvement of maths and science skills amongst secondary school learners. The effect of this implementation indicates a general improvement in academic performance amongst learners as the understanding of theoretical concepts are improved and practical application of theory experienced.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2017 IEEE AFRICON
Subtitle of host publication	Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017
Editors	Darryn R. Cornish
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages	770-775
Number of pages	6
ISBN (Electronic)	9781538627754
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095580
Publication status	Published - 3 Nov 2017
Event	IEEE AFRICON 2017 - Cape Town, South Africa Duration: 18 Sept 2017 → 20 Sept 2017

Publication series

Name	2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017

Conference

Conference	IEEE AFRICON 2017
Country/Territory	South Africa
City	Cape Town
Period	18/09/17 → 20/09/17

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 1 No Poverty
SDG 4 Quality Education
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

Keywords

Problem-based learning
STEM education
Secondary schools

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Human-Computer Interaction
Signal Processing
Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Networks and Communications
Computer Science Applications

Access to Document

10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095580

Cite this

Von Solms, S., & Nel, H. (2017). STEM project based learning: Towards improving secondary school performance in mathematics and science. In D. R. Cornish (Ed.), 2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017 (pp. 770-775). Article 8095580 (2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095580

Von Solms, Sune ; Nel, Hannelie. / STEM project based learning : Towards improving secondary school performance in mathematics and science. 2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017. editor / Darryn R. Cornish. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2017. pp. 770-775 (2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017).

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title = "STEM project based learning: Towards improving secondary school performance in mathematics and science",

abstract = "South Africa is currently facing an education problem with one of the highest numbers of youth unemployment worldwide; as well as a shortage of specialized capabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In an effort to improve STEM education, universities are adopting schools in their communities with the aim to assist in the development of mathematics and science skills. This paper presents a study where a university-hosted STEM education initiative is incorporated within a secondary school science curriculum. The initiative exposes learners to STEM education and aids in the improvement of maths and science skills amongst secondary school learners. The effect of this implementation indicates a general improvement in academic performance amongst learners as the understanding of theoretical concepts are improved and practical application of theory experienced.",

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Von Solms, S & Nel, H 2017, STEM project based learning: Towards improving secondary school performance in mathematics and science. in DR Cornish (ed.), 2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017., 8095580, 2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., pp. 770-775, IEEE AFRICON 2017, Cape Town, South Africa, 18/09/17. https://doi.org/10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095580

STEM project based learning: Towards improving secondary school performance in mathematics and science. / Von Solms, Sune; Nel, Hannelie.
2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017. ed. / Darryn R. Cornish. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2017. p. 770-775 8095580 (2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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N2 - South Africa is currently facing an education problem with one of the highest numbers of youth unemployment worldwide; as well as a shortage of specialized capabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In an effort to improve STEM education, universities are adopting schools in their communities with the aim to assist in the development of mathematics and science skills. This paper presents a study where a university-hosted STEM education initiative is incorporated within a secondary school science curriculum. The initiative exposes learners to STEM education and aids in the improvement of maths and science skills amongst secondary school learners. The effect of this implementation indicates a general improvement in academic performance amongst learners as the understanding of theoretical concepts are improved and practical application of theory experienced.

AB - South Africa is currently facing an education problem with one of the highest numbers of youth unemployment worldwide; as well as a shortage of specialized capabilities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In an effort to improve STEM education, universities are adopting schools in their communities with the aim to assist in the development of mathematics and science skills. This paper presents a study where a university-hosted STEM education initiative is incorporated within a secondary school science curriculum. The initiative exposes learners to STEM education and aids in the improvement of maths and science skills amongst secondary school learners. The effect of this implementation indicates a general improvement in academic performance amongst learners as the understanding of theoretical concepts are improved and practical application of theory experienced.

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KW - Secondary schools

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Von Solms S, Nel H. STEM project based learning: Towards improving secondary school performance in mathematics and science. In Cornish DR, editor, 2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2017. p. 770-775. 8095580. (2017 IEEE AFRICON: Science, Technology and Innovation for Africa, AFRICON 2017). doi: 10.1109/AFRCON.2017.8095580

STEM project based learning: Towards improving secondary school performance in mathematics and science

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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