Description

Historically data shows that middle school (grades 6-8) is where students lose interest in STEM concepts, careers and concentrations. The purpose of this study was to see if by using robotics as a content organizer, in this case mathematics, and actively showing the connections between math and real world challenges (illustrated in Technology Education classrooms). The study was a quantitative and focused on showing whether or not Inquiry Based learning in collaboration (between math and technology teachers) students' beliefs and interest towards STEM could be affected. Teachers were given professional development on the Lego Robotics and introduced to the real world challenges available for usage. The teachers were asked to stress that the concepts being covered in their sections (such as math) would be addressed in a different technique in the Technology education classroom. Twenty teachers and a total of 107 students participated in the study.