Implementation of KS-STEM Project: Bridging the STEM curriculum into Science education

Abstract

Currently, interest in STEM education is growing in the world. In Indonesia, STEM practice is gradually developing. Through the partially "KS-STEM Project", this study was addressed. The project is a longitudinal cross-country project between Taiwan and Indonesia. In regards to the three philosophical foundations (epistemology-ontology-axiology), this study addresses three research questions, as follows: 1) To what extent does the Fuel Cell Car Science Kit facilitate junior high school students' understanding of the essence of STEM education; 2) To what extent do the students' outcomes deal with fuel Cell Car Science Kit; 3) What topics can students learn from the Fuel Cell Car Science Kit. The research used a descriptive qualitative approach by using instruments: "Fuel Cell Car Science Kit" as a STEM kit. Participants of the study included 32 junior high school students in East Java, Indonesia. The results of the study included: (1) the description of how STEM Kit facilitates the students' understanding of the essence of STEM education; (2) the students' outcomes dealing with the STEM Kit; and (3) several topics that students learn from the STEM Kit. The implication of the current study is to introduce and to involve Indonesian students, especially junior high school students to STEM education.