Taking practical learning in STEM education home: Examples from do-it-yourself experiments in plant biology

Area of Science:

• STEM Education
• Plant Biology
• Experiential Learning

Background:

• Traditional laboratory teaching faces challenges like budget constraints and the shift to virtual learning.
• University lockdowns, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, further limit practical, hands-on learning opportunities for STEM undergraduates.
• The need for accessible, authentic learning experiences is critical in undergraduate science education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the value of at-home, do-it-yourself (DIY) experiments for undergraduate STEM education.
• To demonstrate how DIY experiments can provide authentic learning experiences and teach valuable skills.
• To inspire educators to design and implement remote-friendly practical activities.

Main Methods:

• The study emphasizes the benefits of incorporating physical interaction with study organisms or systems through DIY experiments.
• Two specific examples of at-home DIY experiments in plant biology are provided.
• The approach focuses on practical, accessible methods suitable for remote learning environments.

Main Results:

• At-home DIY experiments enable students to engage physically with scientific concepts, fostering authentic learning.
• These experiments effectively supplement or replace traditional lab work, especially during periods of remote instruction.
• The provided plant biology examples serve as a foundation for developing similar practical activities in other STEM fields.

Conclusions:

• DIY at-home experiments are a viable and effective strategy for delivering practical, authentic STEM education.
• These methods enhance student learning and skill development, particularly in challenging remote teaching scenarios.
• The study advocates for the wider adoption of DIY experiments to enrich undergraduate STEM curricula.