Practical application of the STEM approach in high school computer science classes

Abstract

The main areas for implementing the STEM approach for high school students are considered. In the specialized computer science course for high school students, emphasis is placed on the practical application of acquired knowledge and skills. However, there is a lack of specific methodologies and application examples in the available research analyzing STEM implementation in high school computer science classes.

Methods: analysis of literary sources, generalization, systematization, comparison. Research aim: to create an educational STEM project, examining popular platforms like Arduino and Micro:bit for their accessibility, low cost, extensive library support, open-source nature, and active developer communities.

Research results. Based on Arduino, a device which consists of an Arduino Uno board, a DHT11 or DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor, an LCD display (16x2), or LEDs for indicators, has been developed. It could be used for demonstrating the effects of global warming on climate and ecosystems. The total device cost was 510 UAH, that makes it affordable for educational projects.The STEM project for 10th-grade students, titled “A Device to Demonstrate the Effects of Global Warming on Climate and Ecosystems,” not only integrates knowledge from computer science, physics, and mathematics but also enhances students' engineering skills. The project is part of the “Programming Language and Data Structures” module for specialized classes and includes nine core topics. Conclusions. Testing results confirmed the effectiveness of the STEM project, as students gained valuable engineering knowledge alongside programming, enabling them to expand their range of practical skills and receive comprehensive training.