Design of STEM activities and study of their motivation efficacy

Abstract

Perception towards Science, Technology, Engineering and Math was studied in children, before and after four activities were done. The topics of the activities were locomotive system, circulatory system and nervous system. Each topic was introduced with questions related to the students' daily life, then animated videos were shown, and tasks and challenges were done by the participants. At the end of each session, conclusions and reminders were obtained with complementary activities. The kids took active part in the process and approached the knowledge in different forms. Quantitative and qualitative data were acquired through a survey, before and after the activities. Quantitative data were analyzed showing significant differences and trends in better attitude and improved self-confidence towards the disciplines. Analyses were done for gender and grade for each question and for the constructs. Qualitative data was quantified showing the importance of the students' context in their education and, the value of this kind of activities in low-income students.