Although the demand for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) personnel continues to raise in the U.S. workforce, it has been revealed that STEM education is not providing the necessary supply. Graduates with a STEM education are below their counterparts internationally. This paper seeks to introduce a new teaching methodology, based on a merger of Project-Based Learning (PBL), Hands-on Learning (HOL), Simulation-Based Learning (SBL), and the Cognitive Apprenticeship (CA) framework, aimed at improving learning in STEM education. The methodology aims to address three of the four main causes for the STEM paradox, namely (i) shortage of graduates with Soft Skills, (ii) lack of qualified technicians, and (iii) untapped pools of talent while increasing students’ self-efficacy. It has been implemented as a case study for the past four years in four courses. Analysis of results has shown that, for all courses, students (i) acquired and increased their domain knowledge, procedural and processed knowledge while solving problems, in given scenarios resulting in their expertise level increasing. These results also showcased an increased their self-efficacy as well as their Soft Skills, especially Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOLS) competency levels.
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Contextualization of Soft Skills in a Biotechnology Course with Project-Based Learning
A shortage in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce has made it clear that STEM educators should adjust their teaching pedagogy to engage and retain students by improving student interest in STEM fields. Furthermore, in addition to discipline-based knowledge, students must learn the soft skills employers value to increase employability. Project-based learning (PBL), a student-centered teaching method in science labs, is a strategy that encourages students to create their projects while applying soft skills. This article demonstrates that integrating and implementing PBL in a biotechnology lab enhances knowledge and increases student retention and employment rates.
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- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10497367
- Publisher / Repository:
- Zenodo
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of advanced technological education
- Volume:
- 2
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 2832-9635
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 5-10
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- project-based learning biotechnology
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8110712
