IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i16p8828-d610028.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Perusing the Past to Propel the Future: A Systematic Review of STEM Learning Activity Based on Activity Theory

Author

Listed:
  • Juliana Fosua Gyasi

    (Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Lanqin Zheng

    (Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Yidan Zhou

    (Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

Education is the road to sustainability, creating the appropriate environment for learners to socialize and acquire knowledge and skills for the 21st century. This study reviews 53 studies on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning activities from 2011 to 2020. In the past last 10 years, STEM education has gained attention, and little is known about how researchers designed and implemented learning activities. This systematic review based on activity theory reveals that STEM learning activities mostly involved elementary students in all STEM disciplines, with a sample size from 1 to 50. STEM learning activities emphasize mixed tasks, evaluating mixed learning outcomes with three STEM disciplines. Researchers mostly preferred project-based learning and problem-based learning methods, lasting from 9 to 24 weeks under teacher guidance with no rewards. This study revealed that most STEM activities were implemented in the classroom. Finally, the most often-used tools were mixed hardware. The quiz is the most often utilized in STEM activity. Major understudied areas that can be investigated by future studies are also revealed in depth. The results and implications for future studies are also discussed in detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Juliana Fosua Gyasi & Lanqin Zheng & Yidan Zhou, 2021. "Perusing the Past to Propel the Future: A Systematic Review of STEM Learning Activity Based on Activity Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-27, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8828-:d:610028
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/16/8828/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/16/8828/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Juan Carlos González-Salamanca & Olga Lucía Agudelo & Jesús Salinas, 2020. "Key Competences, Education for Sustainable Development and Strategies for the Development of 21st Century Skills. A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Elizabeth L. Petrun Sayers & Christopher A. Craig & Emily Skonicki & Grace Gahlon & Susan Gilbertz & Song Feng, 2021. "Evaluating STEM-Based Sustainability Understanding: A Cognitive Mapping Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-23, July.
    3. Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen & Thi Huy Nguyen & Thanh Khiet Tran, 2020. "STEM Education in Secondary Schools: Teachers’ Perspective towards Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Tong Zhang & Zaffar A. Shaikh & Alexei V. Yumashev & Monika Chłąd, 2020. "Applied Model of E-Learning in the Framework of Education for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-15, August.
    5. Ruba Ali & Jolly Bhadra & Nitha Siby & Zubair Ahmad & Noora Jabor Al-Thani, 2021. "A STEM Model to Engage Students in Sustainable Science Education through Sports: A Case Study in Qatar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-26, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Georgi V. Georgiev & Vijayakumar Nanjappan, 2023. "Sustainability Considerations in Digital Fabrication Design Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Juliana Fosua Gyasi & Lanqin Zheng & Miaolang Long, 2021. "Reflecting on the Past to Shape the Future: A Systematic Review on Cross-Cultural Collaborative Learning from 2011 to 2020," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-25, December.
    3. David Llanos-Ruiz & Vanesa Ausin-Villaverde & Victor Abella-Garcia, 2024. "Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills for Sustainability in the Educational Robotics Classroom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-19, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Eleni Giouli & Pisinas Yorgos & Anna-Maria Kanzola, 2021. "Human Capital and Production Structure: Evidence from Greece," European Journal of Economics and Business Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 7, January -.
    2. Kifah Imara & Fahriye Altinay, 2021. "Integrating Education for Sustainable Development Competencies in Teacher Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Hsien-Sheng Hsiao & Jyun-Chen Chen & Jhen-Han Chen & Yu-Ting Zeng & Guang-Han Chung, 2022. "An Assessment of Junior High School Students’ Knowledge, Creativity, and Hands-On Performance Using PBL via Cognitive–Affective Interaction Model to Achieve STEAM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Ján Záhorec & Alena Hašková & Adriana Poliaková & Michal Munk, 2021. "Case Study of the Integration of Digital Competencies into Teacher Preparation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-28, June.
    5. Teodora Odett BREAZ, 2021. "A Theoretical Approach On The Sustainable Development Strategy For Higher Education," Annales Universitatis Apulensis Series Oeconomica, Faculty of Sciences, "1 Decembrie 1918" University, Alba Iulia, vol. 2(23), pages 1-2.
    6. Jamali, Seyedh Mahboobeh & Nader, Ale Ebrahim & Jamali, Fatemeh, 2021. "The Role of STEM Education in Improving the Quality of Education: A Bibliometric Study," MPRA Paper 114214, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 02 May 2022.
    7. Mohamed Salem Ahmed Ibrahim Alhosani & Kamarul Bahari Yaakub, 2021. "Investigating the Relationship Between Total Quality Management and Primary School Academic Performance with Innovation as a Mediator Using SEM," European Journal of Economics and Business Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 7, January -.
    8. Andra-Teodora Gorski & Elena-Diana Ranf & Dorel Badea & Elisabeta-Emilia Halmaghi & Hortensia Gorski, 2023. "Education for Sustainability—Some Bibliometric Insights," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-17, October.
    9. Ben Kajwang, 2022. "Role of training needs assessment on the training outcomes in insurance sector in Kenya," Bussecon Review of Social Sciences (2687-2285), Bussecon International Academy, vol. 4(1), pages 37-44, January.
    10. Mirko Prosen & Rebeka Lekše & Sabina Ličen, 2023. "Health Professionals’ Role in Promoting Health and Environmental Sustainability through Sustainable Food Advocacy: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-13, September.
    11. Constantin Aurelian Ionescu & Liliana Paschia & Nicoleta Luminita Gudanescu Nicolau & Sorina Geanina Stanescu & Veronica Maria Neacsu Stancescu & Mihaela Denisa Coman & Marilena Carmen Uzlau, 2020. "Sustainability Analysis of the E-Learning Education System during Pandemic Period—COVID-19 in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-22, October.
    12. Alina Mihaela Dima & Mihail Busu & Vanesa Madalina Vargas, 2022. "The mediating role of students’ ability to adapt to online activities on the relationship between perceived university culture and academic performance," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(4), pages 1253-1281, December.
    13. Ben Kajwang, 2022. "Role of training needs assessment on the training outcomes in insurance sector in Kenya," Bussecon Review of Social Sciences (2687-2285), Bussecon International Academy, vol. 4(1), pages 37-44, January.
    14. Ethan Fu-Yen Chiu & Yuan-shan Chen & Hsuan-Yu Tai, 2022. "Investigations into EFL Students’ Pragmatic and Grammatical Awareness through Peer Collaboration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-18, August.
    15. Nadine Bachmann & Shailesh Tripathi & Manuel Brunner & Herbert Jodlbauer, 2022. "The Contribution of Data-Driven Technologies in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-33, February.
    16. Uthman Alturki & Ahmed Aldraiweesh, 2021. "Application of Learning Management System (LMS) during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Sustainable Acceptance Model of the Expansion Technology Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-16, October.
    17. Eman AbuKhousa & Mohamed Sami El-Tahawy & Yacine Atif, 2023. "Envisioning Architecture of Metaverse Intensive Learning Experience (MiLEx): Career Readiness in the 21st Century and Collective Intelligence Development Scenario," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-20, January.
    18. Ruth S. Contreras-Espinosa & Jose Luis Eguia-Gomez, 2022. "Game Jams as Valuable Tools for the Development of 21 st -Century Skills," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, February.
    19. Nurfarahin Nasri & Nik Mohd Rahimi & Nurfaradilla Mohamad Nasri & Mohamad Asyraf Abd Talib, 2021. "A Comparison Study between Universal Design for Learning-Multiple Intelligence (UDL-MI) Oriented STEM Program and Traditional STEM Program for Inclusive Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-12, January.
    20. Petr Coufal & Štěpán Hubálovský & Marie Hubálovská, 2021. "Application of Basic Graph Theory in Autonomous Motion of Robots," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-15, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8828-:d:610028. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.