Integrated Science Studies Research Articles

The Effect of Android-Based Learning Using Smart Apps Creator (SAC) on Students' Integrated Science Interest

Smart Apps Creator (SAC) enables teachers to develop android-based learning media without requiring coding expertise. Numerous studies have explored the development of SAC media. However, research specifically focused on the effect of SAC on students' interest in integrated science subjects remains severely limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of SAC on students’ integrated science interest. This study involved 27 students on the second grade at SMPN 2 Bontomarannu, South Sulawesi. It employed an experimental approach with a pre-experiment method, utilizing a one-shot case study model. Data collection involved observation and questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses with SPSS. The results demonstrated that SAC positively contributed on students' learning interest. Specifically, 85.71% of students reported feeling that the classroom atmosphere became more enjoyable, and 85.71% were focused and attentive during integrated science studies when using SAC as the learning media. Moreover, 85.71% of students expressed satisfaction and comfort while learning integrated science with SAC. Additionally, 86.9% of students exhibited good participation in the learning process. Based on the data, it can be concluded that the utilization of mobile learning using SAC has a positive effect on students' learning interest in integrated science.Keywords: Android-based learning, Integrated science, Mobile learning, Smart apps creator (SAC), Student interest

STEM Outreach via Science Forensic Module: The Impact of the Near-peer Mentoring Approach

STEM education emphasizes the integrated study of science passing the boundaries of traditionally labelled disciplines while demonstrating its application in real life. Science forensic is an eye-catching subject for students, which implements the knowledge of biology, physics, and chemistry. The purpose of this study was to identify students’ interest towards STEM through science forensic module and the impact of the near-peer mentoring approach in the module for STEM outreach. This pilot study was conducted for the students of Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi (SBPI) Gombak with 36 participants. By using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS), the analysis revealed that 94.5% of students found the module interesting and 77% of participants agreeing that the module increased their interest to pursue their future study in the STEM-field. Focusing on demographics, this module received more positive responses from females and pure science stream students as compared to males and Islamic science stream, respectively. This result is consistent with the higher number of female students and pure science stream students in STEM-field study at university level. The near-peer mentoring approach showed a promising impact with 88% of students giving positive feedback on the credibility of mentors. The science forensic modules consisted of 8 main stations with the Fingerprinting station being the most popular (94.5%) and DNA profiling being the least popular (77.8%). One possible explanation of this is that the level of understanding for DNA profiling is harder with larger amounts of knowledge needed to be learned in a short period of time. Overall, the outcomes of this study suggest that exposing secondary school students to science forensic has a positive impact on their level of interest towards STEM education.

Bruteau's philosophy of spiritual evolution and consciousness: foundation for a nursing cosmology

The ontological foundation of the modern world view based on irreconcilable dichotomies has held hegemonic status since the dawn of the scientific revolution. The post-modern critique has exposed the inadequacies of the modern perspective and challenged the potential for any narrative to adequately ground a vision for the future. This paper proposes that the philosophy of Beatrice Bruteau can support a foundation for a visionary world view consistent with nursing's respect for human dignity and societal health. The author discusses the key concepts of Bruteau's perspective on societal evolution based on an integrated study of science, mathematics, religion, and philosophy. This perspective is discussed as a foundation to move beyond the dichotomous influence of the modern world view and the deconstructive critique of the post-modern perspective. The author suggests spiritual evolution and a participatory consciousness as an ontological foundation for a cosmology congruent with nursing's social mandate.

The Role of Economics in Energy and Environmental Decision Making: An STS Perspective

Contemporary energy and environmental problems continue to pose fundamental challenges to Western models of a successful pattern of life. From the perspective of an integrated study of science, technology, and society, energy and environmental problems can be seen more specifically to raise significant questions about economic decision rules as expressions of those models –i.e.,. as mechanisms for rationalizing traditional energy and environmental patterns of behavior.