A Play-Based STEM Activity: Children's Understanding About the Concept of Volume

• In Event: 44.085 - Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: 44.085-8 - Early Education and Child Development SIG Poster Session

Abstract

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, engineering is the least understood in STEM education. This case study explores children’s understanding of the concept of volume through the practices of engineering design in STEM activity. Three students voluntarily participated in this study. Data sources included interviews, photo copies of boats, and observation field notes and were analyzed using a comprehensive cross-case analysis. Findings indicate that the common pattern is rather intuitive when students define engineering problems using different criteria. Also, students’ solutions to engineering problems are associated with their experiential ideas of reality. Lastly, students understand the concept of volume correctly but not fully while going through the practices of engineering design.

Authors

• Do-Yong Park, Illinois State University

• Mi-Hwa Park, Murray State University

• Alan B. Bates, Illinois State University