Informal science pedagogical innovation to promote understanding of technology application in fluids mechanics

Abstract

This study attempts to support the preparation, setup and implementation of innovation for informal science learning that help students with technology application in physics topic. There are 349 students were selected as the sample of this study, in two STEM activities during International Scout STEM Camporee. Following the module developed for informal learning activity, the data collection focus using a survey focus on the learning opportunities created by the module for technology application. Teaching technology application in formal setting is known challenging due to syllabus constraints. Here, fluid mechanics is a branch of physics knowledge that relates directly with the technology application. The innovation in the informal science learning module has a specific focus on the technology application of fluid mechanic. Post and pre-test were conducted. The post-test was conducted to investigate prior understanding of fundamental fluid mechanic concepts during the designing stage with the students' ability to make inference. Descriptive analysis and Pearson correlation were used as the data analysis methods. The finding shows that most of the students did have an initial idea of science concepts such as buoyancy, density, weight of mini Titanic, and Archimedes' principle. However, their ability to make inference and observation is weakly correlated and not significant. This findings show that students are capable to produce observations and inferences when technology application is brought into discussion during informal science learning. As a conclusion, for informal science learning, it is important for educators to consider the outcomes for students' learning because the opportunities for students to tap into their prior knowledge from self-determination can be easily achieved within this setting. This study proposes important measures during informal science learning environment to maximize the learning opportunities.