Journey of Discovery: Reflecting on STEAM Method

We are looking for information about problems that occur in Indonesia and have not found the right solution. The problem is the low quality of education in Indonesia. Based on the World Top 20 in 2023 regarding the quality of education, Indonesia is ranked 6th out of 209 countries in the world. Based on the 2018 Pisa, the reading skills of math and science for 15 year old children in Indonesia are still below average and are 2,5 years behind compared to other countries. Thus, we generate ideas about research objectives involving food technology, namely to analyze the potential application of the "STEAM" method in the Food Technology Curriculum. The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) method is an educational approach to integrate various disciplines into a more holistic learning

           

A scientific review of the STEAM method in the food technology curriculum involves several systematic steps. Our study begins by introducing the importance of the STEAM method and its relevance for research. Then, we present the research questions and clear definitions of their components, including science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. We also discuss how STEAM methods can be integrated into food technology curricula, highlighting the benefits of implementation such as increased conceptual understanding, collaborative skills, and student interest. In addition, we address implementation challenges, such as lack of resources, teacher training, and curriculum fit. Case studies or related research can be presented, and discussions can be held to evaluate and analyze the results. We also discuss the implications and relevance, and scope of future research highlighted to deepen understanding of the application of the STEAM method in food technology science. In conclusion, we summarize the main findings, discussion results, practical implications, and recommendations for policy makers or practitioners considering the use of the STEAM method in food technology. Our systematic structure ensures alignment with research objectives and incorporates relevant resources and current research.

 

We have learned a lot about the value of a thorough and systematic approach to finding pertinent studies related to our papers. With so much information available across so many databases and search engines, We initially found the task of looking for literature to be quite overwhelming yet beneficial in the end. As we got deeper into the process and applied numerous search tactics, We finally managed to establish our first review articles papers. We learned the significance of carefully selecting the right keywords and using an app like Grammarly in a way to perceive the best writing output. Additionally, I discovered the value of utilizing relevant databases and search engines specific to the field of study to ensure a thorough intensive search. We’ve also finally discovered that adding sources from both grey literature and peer-reviewed journals broadened the scope of my systematic review. Exploring various scientific databases, provided access to high-quality studies, while consulting sources like conference proceedings added depth and breadth to our findings. Overall, the process of looking for academic literature for a systematic review has underlined the significance of patience and organization. It has emphasized the need to stay aware of emerging research tools and techniques, ensuring that our systematic review remains inclusive.

 

We discovered from the publications we read that junior high school students can learn food technology using the STEAM technique. We feel that STEAM is also suitable to be implemented in junior high school students because junior high school students are at the formal operational cognitive development stage, where they can think abstractly (predicting events, expressing creative ideas, carrying out scientific thinking processes), inductively and deductively, prove hypotheses, solve problems, and draw conclusions. The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) learning technique allows students to develop their ideas and creativity by mixing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics in practice and theory. STEAM helps kids learn 21st-century skills by collaborating and communicating. According to research from these journals, food technology education using the STEAM method improves junior high school student learning outcomes by integrating science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. This allows students to gain a more holistic understanding of food. Through food technology projects, STEAM may help students develop practical skills, critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, effective communication, and problem-solving.

Overall, the process of making the systematic review about the potency of the STEAM method implementation to deliver the food technology curriculum has given us some insights especially about writing a scientific paper. We feel extremely keen and satisfied about how the dynamic works in this group. We interact, communicate, and cooperate really well. We discuss every obstacle that we face. During our process, we have an advantage because one of our members is familiar with writing a scientific paper so we are getting a lead from her and she also explains and asks for our opinion, and everyone in the group is very active in delivering their opinion which makes the team work well. The task is fairly divided using a ladder after everyone agrees with the task that has been divided. From choosing the topic, we realized that we have to choose a topic that will give news insights for the reader and problems that need a solution.

Before choosing the topic, we have done research about journals that are related to our topic so we have enough reliable data for our paper. We also make a tree diagram together to specify our writing subtopics and make sure that everyone understands where this review is heading. We also learned that it is easier to collect the data and specify it with the extraction table. Although making the extraction table took a bit more time, in the end, the extraction table is very helpful for us to find the source that we need faster because we have listed the journal that is related with our research objective. We also lack knowledge about databases that we can use to find a reliable source for our systematic review, and it is also kind of challenging as some of the good journals can’t be accessed. Looking back, we believe that the systematic review was written with many provisions and we have done our best in writing the systematic review.