Effect of STEM-PBL advanced mathematics course on engineering students’ problem-solving ability in higher vocational college

This study explores the effect of STEM-problem based learning (STEM-PBL) advanced Mathematics on engineering students’ problem-solving ability (PSA) in higher vocational colleges. Grounded in STEM-PBL and student’s PSA framework, the study integrates mobile and digital technologies, including GeoGeb...

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Main Authors: Jing Wang, Piriya Somasundram
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1628482/full
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author Jing Wang
Jing Wang
Piriya Somasundram
author_facet Jing Wang
Jing Wang
Piriya Somasundram
author_sort Jing Wang
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the effect of STEM-problem based learning (STEM-PBL) advanced Mathematics on engineering students’ problem-solving ability (PSA) in higher vocational colleges. Grounded in STEM-PBL and student’s PSA framework, the study integrates mobile and digital technologies, including GeoGebra and MATLAB, into a context-rich instructional design. A quasi-experimental design was employed involving 83 students, with 42 assigned to the experimental group (EG) and 41 to the control group (CG). Quantitative data were collected through pre-test, post-test, and analyzed using SPSS. The results showed that STEM-PBL instruction significantly improved students’ PSA. These findings suggest that incorporating STEM-PBL content and digital tools into mathematics education is essential for developing basic PSA among engineering students. This study provides practical guidance for designing effective, equitable, and skill-oriented STEM courses in vocational education.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Education
spelling doaj-art-6206d24373dd4e0da18d9a45d3102ef42025-08-20T03:41:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2025-08-011010.3389/feduc.2025.16284821628482Effect of STEM-PBL advanced mathematics course on engineering students’ problem-solving ability in higher vocational collegeJing Wang0Jing Wang1Piriya Somasundram2Department of Public Basic Education, Fuyang Institute of Technology, Fuyang, ChinaThe Faculty of Education, Languages, Psychology and Music, SEGi University, Kota Damansara, Selangor, MalaysiaThe Faculty of Education, Languages, Psychology and Music, SEGi University, Kota Damansara, Selangor, MalaysiaThis study explores the effect of STEM-problem based learning (STEM-PBL) advanced Mathematics on engineering students’ problem-solving ability (PSA) in higher vocational colleges. Grounded in STEM-PBL and student’s PSA framework, the study integrates mobile and digital technologies, including GeoGebra and MATLAB, into a context-rich instructional design. A quasi-experimental design was employed involving 83 students, with 42 assigned to the experimental group (EG) and 41 to the control group (CG). Quantitative data were collected through pre-test, post-test, and analyzed using SPSS. The results showed that STEM-PBL instruction significantly improved students’ PSA. These findings suggest that incorporating STEM-PBL content and digital tools into mathematics education is essential for developing basic PSA among engineering students. This study provides practical guidance for designing effective, equitable, and skill-oriented STEM courses in vocational education.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1628482/fullSTEM-PBL-based advanced mathematicsengineering studentsproblem-solving abilityquasi-experimental designvocational education
spellingShingle Jing Wang
Jing Wang
Piriya Somasundram
Effect of STEM-PBL advanced mathematics course on engineering students’ problem-solving ability in higher vocational college
Frontiers in Education
STEM-PBL-based advanced mathematics
engineering students
problem-solving ability
quasi-experimental design
vocational education
title Effect of STEM-PBL advanced mathematics course on engineering students’ problem-solving ability in higher vocational college
title_full Effect of STEM-PBL advanced mathematics course on engineering students’ problem-solving ability in higher vocational college
title_fullStr Effect of STEM-PBL advanced mathematics course on engineering students’ problem-solving ability in higher vocational college
title_full_unstemmed Effect of STEM-PBL advanced mathematics course on engineering students’ problem-solving ability in higher vocational college
title_short Effect of STEM-PBL advanced mathematics course on engineering students’ problem-solving ability in higher vocational college
title_sort effect of stem pbl advanced mathematics course on engineering students problem solving ability in higher vocational college
topic STEM-PBL-based advanced mathematics
engineering students
problem-solving ability
quasi-experimental design
vocational education
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1628482/full
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AT piriyasomasundram effectofstempbladvancedmathematicscourseonengineeringstudentsproblemsolvingabilityinhighervocationalcollege