Development and Evaluation of Global Positioning System Science Lesson Based on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Model in Singapore

• Main Authors: Shuichi Yamashita, Jennifer Yeo, Kei Nakanishi, Kentaro Kojima, Risa Igarashi, Asami Terasawa, Janessa Chang, Jeshrei Toh, Aaron Pang, Sapto Ashardianto, Jun Nomura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: ICASE 2019-08-01
• Series: Science Education International
• Subjects: global positioning system; stem; twin college envoys program; singapore
• Online Access: http://www.icaseonline.net/journal/index.php/sei/article/view/128

The purpose of the Twin College Envoys (TWINCLE) program for Chiba University students was to visit secondary schools of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation countries and provide science lessons on cutting-edge technology. The focus of this research was to develop a learning program contextualized around the Global Positioning System (GPS) using the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) model for Singapore students and to evaluate the science lessons. In total, 53 high school students received 100 min of instruction using two experiments with worksheets as part of the TWINCLE program, and then, they were asked to answer a questionnaire. The research yielded the following three results. First, by the end of the lesson, the students could explain how the GPS worked and list the benefits of GPS surveying. Second, the teaching materials and hands-on activities were well-received by the students and our Singapore counterparts. Finally, the science lesson based on STEM model was highly evaluated and awarded the 2017 best TWINCLE prize. In the future, it is recommended the TWINCLE program should be continued and funded by Chiba University to promote global opportunities for university students and teachers.