Transform STEM Experiences into High-Quality Engineering Research Projects Aligned with VISEF/ISEF Standards

Transform STEM Experiences into High-Quality Engineering Research Projects Aligned with VISEF/ISEF Standards

Pham Nguyen Trung Nghia* pntnghia2019@gmail.com Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Cho Quan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
Be Thi Dieu Linh Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
Vu Do Hoang Duy Einstein School HCM (ESH), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
Nguyen Thi Diu Quynh Ho Chi Minh City University of Education Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
Summary: 
STEM education has a strategic role in promoting innovation, digital transformation, and the development of high-quality human resources, while also contributing to the achievement of socio-economic development goals. Among various approaches, STEM research stands out as one of the three main methods addressing these objectives. However, practical observations reveal that guiding students in scientific research is still limited, underscoring systemic deficiencies in current teacher training and professional development programs. This paper explores and proposes a process for transforming students’ experiential activities into technical research topics proposing a resource-efficient methodological framework for project transition. It also evaluates the factors that influence the effectiveness of students’ research processes. The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, comprising a survey of 350 students in STEM fields that incorporate modern technologies, observes participation in typical research topics, and interviews experts and experienced managers. The results indicate that the INSPIRE protocol meets the expected outcomes in guiding students from experiential learning to research. Findings identify two critical determinants of research success: the strategic integration of AI and the configuration of the learning ecosystem. Educational leaders and instructors should focus on creating environments and policies that support genuine academic research, thus fostering a dual-value proposition: advancing community-centric technical solutions while cementing the student’s identity as a novice researcher.
Keywords: 
STEM education
Artificial intelligence
robotics
research projects
learning ecosystem.
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