HOW PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS RESPOND TO STEM-BASED LEARNING? UNDERSTANDING THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCES
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Published:
Feb 20, 2026
Keywords:
pre-service teachers, stem-based learning, learning experiences
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Abstract
This study investigates how pre-service teachers respond to STEM-based learning in science learning. STEM activities were used to provide hands-on, inquiry-oriented experiences that connect scientific concepts to real-world contexts. Data were collected from written reflections submitted by 65 pre-service teachers and analyzed using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s six phases. The findings show that STEM learning promoted meaningful engagement, improved understanding, and supported the development of creativity, collaboration, and problem solving skills. Some participants reported conditional or limited interest, highlighting the need for clear guidance and adequate support. Overall, the study demonstrates that STEM-based learning can enhance pre-service teachers’ readiness for future STEM instruction and provides useful insights for strengthening teacher education programs.
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Nurcahyo, M. A., Sujarwo, Saptono, B., Afryaningsih, Y., & Setyowati, D. (2026). HOW PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS RESPOND TO STEM-BASED LEARNING? UNDERSTANDING THEIR LEARNING EXPERIENCES. PROCEEDING AL GHAZALI International Conference, 3(1), 123-132. https://doi.org/10.52802/aicp.v3i1.1800
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References
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Rahman, A., Masitoh, S., & Mariono, A. (2022). Collaborative Learning to Improve Creative and Critical Thinking Skills: From Research Design to Data Analysis. International Journal of Educational Review, 4(1), 79–96. https://doi.org/10.33369/ijer.v4i1.22016
Roehrig, G. H., Moore, T. J., Wang, H., & Park, M. S. (2012). Is Adding the E Enough? Investigating the Impact of K‐12 Engineering Standards on the Implementation of STEM Integration. School Science and Mathematics, 112(1), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1949-8594.2011.00112.x
Sheridan, L. (2016). Examining Changes in Pre-service Teachers’ Beliefs of Pedagogy. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 41(3), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2016v41n3.1
Stohlmann, M., Moore, T. J., & Roehrig, G. H. (2012). Considerations for Teaching Integrated STEM Education. Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-Peer), 2(1), 28–34. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284314653
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Thibaut, L., Ceuppens, S., Loof, H. D., Meester, J. D., Goovaerts, L., Struyf, A., Pauw, J. B., Dehaene, W., Deprez, J., Cock, M. D., Hellinckx, L., Knipprath, H., Langie, G., Struyven, K., Velde, D. v. d., Petegem, P. V, & Depaepe, F. (2018). Integrated STEM Education: A Systematic Review of Instructional Practices in Secondary Education. European Journal of Stem Education, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/85525
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Vygotsky, L. (1978). Interaction between learning and development. In Mind in Society: The development of higher psychological processes (pp. 79–91).
Widiyatmoko, A., Amelia, R. N., Wulandari, T. D., & Salma, M. (2024). Structural relationship model of conception , understanding , and self- efficacy about STEM education among pre-service science teachers. Thabiea : Journal of Natural Science Teaching, 7(2), 181–194.
Wieselmann, J. R., Sager, M. T., & Price, B. C. (2022). education sciences STEM Project-Based Instruction : An Analysis of Teacher-Developed Integrated STEM PBI Curriculum Units. Education Sciences, 12(626).
Yüksel, A. O. (2025). Design-Based STEM Activities in Teacher Education and Its Effect on Pre-service Science Teachers’ Design Thinking Skills. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 34(4), 904–918. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-025-10215-2
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Bulu, V. R., & Tanggur, F. (2021). The Effectiveness of STEM-Based PjBL on Student’s Critical Thinking Skills and Collaborative Attitude. Al-Jabar : Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika, 12(1), 219–228. https://doi.org/10.24042/ajpm.v12i1.8831
Can, H., & Hiğde, E. (2022). The Pre-Service Teachers’ Intentions to Implement STEM Activities. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 10(S1-Aug), 164–178. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v10iS1-Aug.4956
Council, N. R. (2012). A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13165
Duran, M., Höft, M., Medjahed, B., Lawson, D. B., & Orady, E. A. (2016). STEM Learning. In M. Duran, M. Höft, B. Medjahed, D. B. Lawson, & E. A. Orady (Eds.), STEM Learning: IT Integration and Collaborative Strategies. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26179-9
ELMALI, Ş., & BALKAN KIYICI, F. (2022). Technology-based professional development program: Experiences of science teachers. Journal of Educational Technology and Online Learning, 5(2), 297–315. https://doi.org/10.31681/jetol.1081367
English, L. D. (2016). STEM education K-12: perspectives on integration. International Journal of STEM Education, 3(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-016-0036-1
Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M. J., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2014). Active Learning Increases Student Performance in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(23), 8410–8415. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1319030111
Gustiani, I., Widodo, A., & Suwarma, I. R. (2017). Development and validation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based instructional material. 060001. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4983969
Hacıömeroğlu, G. (2018). Examining Elementary Pre-service Teachers’ Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Teaching Intention. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences. https://doi.org/10.15345/iojes.2018.01.014
Johnson, T. M., Byrd, K., & Allison, E. R. (2021). The Impact of Integrated STEM Modeling on Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Self‐efficacy for Integrated STEM Instruction: A Co‐teaching Approach. School Science and Mathematics, 121(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12443
Kaya, Z., & Nafiz Kaya, O. (2023). Gathering Rich Data on Preservice Science Teachers’ Pedagogical Content Knowledge Through Their Lesson Plans. Journal of Teacher Education, 74(1), 10–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224871221105801
Kelley, T. R., & Knowles, J. G. (2016). A conceptual framework for integrated STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 3(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-016-0046-z
Kolb, A. Y., & Kolb, D. A. (2009). Experiential learning theory: A dynamic, holistic approach to management learning, education and development. The SAGE Handbook of Management Learning, Education and Development, May, 42–68. https://doi.org/10.4135/9780857021038.n3
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as The Source of Learning and Development. Prentice Hall, Inc., 1984, 20–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7506-7223-8.50017-4
Long, N. T., Yen, N. T. H., & Hanh, N. Van. (2020). The Role of Experiential Learning and Engineering Design Process in K-12 Stem Education. International Journal of Education and Practice, 8(4), 720–732. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.61.2020.84.720.732
Margot, K. C., & Kettler, T. (2019). Teachers’ Perception of STEM Integration and Education: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Stem Education, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-018-0151-2
Nardo, A. (2021). Exploring a Vygotskian Theory of Education and Its Evolutionary Foundations. Educational Theory, 71(3), 331–352. https://doi.org/10.1111/edth.12485
Nipyrakis, A., Stavrou, D., & Avraamidou, L. (2024). Examining S-T-E-M Teachers’ Design of Integrated STEM Lesson Plans. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 0123456789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-024-10474-2
Nugraha, M. G., Kidman, G., & Tan, H. (2023). Pre-service teacher in STEM education: An integrative review and mapping of the Indonesian research literature. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 19(5). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13155
Rahman, A., Masitoh, S., & Mariono, A. (2022). Collaborative Learning to Improve Creative and Critical Thinking Skills: From Research Design to Data Analysis. International Journal of Educational Review, 4(1), 79–96. https://doi.org/10.33369/ijer.v4i1.22016
Roehrig, G. H., Moore, T. J., Wang, H., & Park, M. S. (2012). Is Adding the E Enough? Investigating the Impact of K‐12 Engineering Standards on the Implementation of STEM Integration. School Science and Mathematics, 112(1), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1949-8594.2011.00112.x
Sheridan, L. (2016). Examining Changes in Pre-service Teachers’ Beliefs of Pedagogy. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 41(3), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2016v41n3.1
Stohlmann, M., Moore, T. J., & Roehrig, G. H. (2012). Considerations for Teaching Integrated STEM Education. Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-Peer), 2(1), 28–34. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284314653
Tan, L., & Wei, B. (2025). How science teachers deal with STEM education: An explorative study from the lens of curriculum ideology. Science Education, 109(1), 82–105. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21904
Thibaut, L., Ceuppens, S., Loof, H. D., Meester, J. D., Goovaerts, L., Struyf, A., Pauw, J. B., Dehaene, W., Deprez, J., Cock, M. D., Hellinckx, L., Knipprath, H., Langie, G., Struyven, K., Velde, D. v. d., Petegem, P. V, & Depaepe, F. (2018). Integrated STEM Education: A Systematic Review of Instructional Practices in Secondary Education. European Journal of Stem Education, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/85525
Vasquez, J. A., Comer, M., & Gutierrez, J. (2020). Integrating Into the K – 2 Classroom.
Vygotsky, L. (1978). Interaction between learning and development. In Mind in Society: The development of higher psychological processes (pp. 79–91).
Widiyatmoko, A., Amelia, R. N., Wulandari, T. D., & Salma, M. (2024). Structural relationship model of conception , understanding , and self- efficacy about STEM education among pre-service science teachers. Thabiea : Journal of Natural Science Teaching, 7(2), 181–194.
Wieselmann, J. R., Sager, M. T., & Price, B. C. (2022). education sciences STEM Project-Based Instruction : An Analysis of Teacher-Developed Integrated STEM PBI Curriculum Units. Education Sciences, 12(626).
Yüksel, A. O. (2025). Design-Based STEM Activities in Teacher Education and Its Effect on Pre-service Science Teachers’ Design Thinking Skills. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 34(4), 904–918. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-025-10215-2