Research in STEM Education, presented by Indonesian Students in USA
The Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Washington, DC conducted the 30th Bincang Karya (Bianka) or Creation Talks with the theme of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education by inviting three Indonesian students in the USA last Tuesday (03/12).
The Director of Investment of the Indonesia Endowment Funds for Education (LPDP), Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, Mohammad Oriza emphasized, “We believe that education is one of the important elements in the development of qualified human resources. That is why we committed to providing scholarships for Indonesians.”
At a different time, the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States, Rosan P. Roeslani stated that STEM Education would equip human resources to be more competitive and ready to work in their respective fields.
“The importance of the STEM education approach, among others, is as a transformation of the educational process that develops reliable and qualified human resources to advance the latest innovations for the welfare of the nation.,” concluded Ambassador Rosan.
Angga Hidayat, a doctoral student in STEM Education at The Ohio State University, discussed his research that focused on the use of educational technology in Mathematics with the theme of “Digital Math Storytelling.”
Angga said, “Digital Math Storytelling can help immigrant students, including from Indonesia, who have just come to the USA, to adapt to a different learning culture so that they can access the same information.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Williams Fointuna, a student of the Master’s Program in STEM Education at The University of Texas at Austin presented his research plan on integrating Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) or Ethnomathematics to improve the mathematical literacy skills of high school students.
“Effective STEM instruction can improve students’ mathematical literacy and CRT is considered appropriate because Indonesia consists of many cultures, ethnicities, races, social and economic status,” explained Daniel.
Mohamad Djodi Hardi Prajuri, a student of the Master of Science in Education – Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania talked about his planned project, a startup in the education field.
“In the Educational and Social Entrepreneurship course, students have to prepare a business plan which later should be presented in front of the investors. My idea is an online academy that produces professionals who have LXD (Learning Experience Design) skills,” said Djodi.
Three professors were also present: Theodore Chao, STEM Education Coordinator from The Ohio State University, Jill Marshall, Co-Director of the UTeach Natural Sciences Teacher Certification Program from The University of Texas at Austin, and Jason Cronk, Sr. Associate Director of Admissions & Financial Aid Graduate School of Education from The University of Pennsylvania.
In this webinar led by Irwandi, Head of the STEM Research Center, Syiah Kuala University, the three of them discussed various research centers and the research fields they were working on at their respective institutions.
Popy Rufaidah highlighted that this webinar was aimed at increasing the number of Indonesian students studying in the USA and opening up opportunities for research and education collaboration between researchers at the three campuses and researchers in Indonesia.
In the future, the webinar will continue to run with various themes every week and will continue to explore the potential of young Indonesian human resources in the United States.
For information, the recording of the live broadcast of the 30th series of Bianka Karya (BIANKA) webinar in STEM Education can be accessed on the official Facebook page of Atdikbud USA with the link https://bit.ly/fb-watch-bianka30