International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

search-icon

Stem Integration in Classroom Practices among Biology Teachers in Mara Junior Science College (MJSC)

Open access
The purpose of this study is to explore the teacher’s understanding and practices of STEM integration in Biology classrooms at MARA Junior Science College (MJSC). A semi-structured interview was conducted with five Biology teachers from three different MJSC. These teachers were purposefully selected from teachers who integrated STEM in their classrooms. The aim of this study is to explore the Biology’s teachers’ understanding about STEM integration and how they practice STEM integration in their classroom despite all the challenges faced by them. Data was analysed using a comparative method based on the results of the interview. Findings from the interview suggest that, firstly, student-centred activities are the keys to integrate the four disciplines of STEM in the classroom. Secondly, all five teachers understand STEM as the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Biology. Thirdly, there are four main challenges faced by the teachers in order to integrate STEM which are: time constraint, lack of teaching aids, lack of professional trainings in STEM and students’ attitude in the classroom. Lastly, all the teachers agree that STEM integration will change the attitude of their students towards Biology.
Bahagian Pembangunan Kurikulum Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. (2013). Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah, 1–56. Retrieved from www.moe.gov.my
Beal, C. R., & Cohen, P. R. (2012). Teach Ourselves: Technology to Support Problem Posing in the STEM Classroom. Creative Education, 3(4), 513–519. http://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2012.34078
Bell, D. (2016). The reality of STEM education, design and technology teachers’ perceptions: a phenomenographic study. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 26(1), 61–79. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-015-9300-9
Buang, N. A., Halim, L., & Mohd Meerah, T. S. (2009). Understanding the thinking of scientists entrepreneurs: Implications for science education in Malaysia. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 6(2), 3–11.
Çimer, A. (2012). What makes biology learning difficult and effective: Students’ views. Educational Research and Reviews, 7(3), 61–71. http://doi.org/10.5897/ERR11.205
Crippen, K. J., & Archambault, L. (2012). Scaffolded Inquiry-Based Instruction with Technology: A Signature Pedagogy for STEM Education. Computers in the Schools, 29(1–2), 157–173. http://doi.org/10.1080/07380569.2012.658733
KPM, K. P. M. (2015). Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education). Ministry of Education Malaysia, 2025, 40. http://doi.org/10.5923/j.ijis.20120206.05
Pansky, A., & Tenenboim, E. (2011). Inoculating against eyewitness suggestibility via interpolated verbatim vs. gist testing. Memory & Cognition, 39, 155–170. http://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-010-0005-8
Siew, N. M., Amir, N., & Chong, C. L. (2015). The perceptions of pre-service and in-service teachers regarding a project-based STEM approach to teaching science. SpringerPlus, 4(1), 1–20. http://doi.org/10.1186/2193-1801-4-8
Storksdieck, M. (2016). Critical information literacy as core skill for lifelong STEM learning in the 21st century: reflections on the desirability and feasibility for widespread science media education. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 11(1), 167–182. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-015-9714-4
Vergara, C. E., Urban-Lurain, M., Campa, H., Cheruvelil, K. S., Ebert-May, D., Fata-Hartley, C., & Johnston, K. (2014). FAST-Future Academic Scholars in Teaching: A High-Engagement Development Program for Future STEM Faculty. Innovative Higher Education, 39(2), 93–107. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-013-9265-0
Wang, H., Moore, T. J., Roehrig, G. H., & Park, M. S. (2011). STEM Integration?: Teacher Perceptions and Practice. Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER), 1(2), 1–13. http://doi.org/10.5703/1288284314636
Wiswall, M., Stiefel, L., Schwartz, A. E., & Boccardo, J. (2014). Does attending a STEM high school improve student performance? Evidence from New York City. Economics of Education Review, 40, 93–105. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2014.01.005
Xie, Y., Fang, M., & Shauman, K. (2013). STEM Education. Annual Review of Sociology, 41(1), 150504162558008. http://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-071312-145659
Wahid, N. T. A., & Talib, O. (2017). Stem Integration in Classroom Practices among Biology Teachers in Mara Junior Science College (MJSC). International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 7(4), 921-931.