Practicing integrated STEM in renewable energy projects: Solar power

Abstract

This paper describes students content knowledge of STEM in the process of project based learning. The selected project in this study is renewable energy (solar power), because Indonesia is located on the equator line which gets abundant sunlight as well as to popularize alternative energy in Indonesia as an effort to prevent global warming. This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of Solar Power Project to promote students content knowledge of STEM. The subjects were 28 pre service physics teachers divided into seven groups. This research used both qualitative and quantitative methods (mixed methods). Pre-test and post-test of STEM knowledge as quantitative data were conducted to determine students' achievement and the effectiveness of learning. Furthermore, the shift of students STEM knowledge was tracked using video recording, task, reports, and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using a paired t test, whereas quantitative data were analyzed by triangulation of data. The results of the study showed that science content knowledge experienced the largest increase, followed by engineering, technology and the last is mathematics. Conclusion, solar power project can be helpful in enhancing students achievement of STEM knowledge and generate meaningful learning.