IMPORTANCE OF MODERN STEM TECHNOLOGIES FOR TRANSFORMATION OF STEM EDUCATION IN THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN BHUTAN

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution has necessitated the revamping of education relevant for the twenty-first-century knowledge and skills. This work studies the potential of accelerating creative learning and innovation with early exposure and access to modern STEM platforms. Early access is expected to enhance the understanding of the significance of knowledge and skills in science technology engineering, and mathematics platforms. The derivation of understanding of the impact of early access in enhancing STEM education at the grassroots was part of the study. Students and STEM teachers were engaged in learning and experiencing the potential of STEM through hands-on experimental learning. The basic application implementation on automation, the internet of things, and artificial intelligence were used to ensure the learners gets the first-hand experience of STEM technologies. The first part of study indicated the lack of platforms and learning tools has impacted the development of youths’ curiosity about STEM despite being aware of its significance and being a daily customer. It has also adversely affected the ability of youths in expressing their creativity and innovative ideas. On the other hand, youths through organized workshops were introduced to STEM platforms named STEMSEL and runlinc to impart an understanding of automation, IoT, and AI applications. The youth participants could experimentally design, develop and deploy (3D) the basic applications with the minimum number of lines of programming code. The student participants exhibited an increased level of understanding of the significance of STEM in the completion of workshops. Furthermore, the ability to use their creativity and converge into 3D experimentally enabled them to draw a better understanding of STEM technologies. The participants demonstrated their realization of the significance of hands-on learning tools to maximize, accelerate, and motivate themselves into learning STEM after the immersion program i.e. STEM workshops. With this study, promotion and importance of STEM education can be achieved within the region. STEM Education inculcates the hands-on experiential learning of the youths driving towards innovative workforce of the country through technology-based learning.