Undergraduates' Perception of (STEM) Education as a Tool for Enhancing Economic Development in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Authors

  • Dr. Suleiman Saadu Matazu  Department of Science and Vocational Education, Faculty of Education and Extension Services, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org//10.32628/IJSRSET218431

Keywords:

Economic Development, Sokoto, STEM, Undergraduates

Abstract

Economic development appears to be a major challenge confronting nations and individuals across the globe in recent times. Economic development is the process by which a nation improves the economic, political, and social well-being of its people. Nigeria which is tagged as the giant of Africa, and also endowed with numerous natural and human resources, is still battling with the menace of economic under development particularly Sokoto state. This paper therefore, examined the perception of undergraduates on (STEM) education as a tool for enhancing economic development. The study employed a quantitative research design, with a sample of 200 undergraduate students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS). The sampled students were randomly selected from four programs of study. A questionnaire containing (12) items, entitled Perception of Undergraduates on STEM for Enhancing Economic Development (PUSEEED) was utilized in collecting data for the study. The instrument was content validated by 3 experts. The reliability index of 0.82 was calculated for the instrument using the Cronbach Alpha. The result of the study indicated that the undergraduates appreciated the introduction of STEM education as a tool for enhancing economic development and they looked forward to actively participating in the program once it is practically integrated into their programs. It was recommended among others that STEM education should be incorporated into the entrepreneurial programs of Nigerian universities especially in Sokoto state, Nigeria for meaningful economic development.

References

  1. A. H Elaine, Connecting Girls and Science: Constructivism, Feminism and Education Reform. New York: Teachers College Press 2002.
  2. M. Stohlmann and T. J. Moore, Consideration for Teaching Integrated STEM Education. Journal of Pre-college Engineering Education Research 2012.
  3. M. Sanders, Integrative STEM Education as “best practice” Paper presented at the seventh Biennial International Technology Education Research Conference, Queensland Australia 2012.
  4. M. Norazla, Z. Ismai, Z. Tasir, and M. N. H. Mohamad Said A Meta-Analysis on Effective Strategies for Integrated STEM Education. Advanced Science Letters Vol. 12. Pp 4225- 4229. DOI:10.1166/asl.2016.8111 2016.
  5. M. C. Ndirikia, and P. C Agommuoh, Enhancing Female Participation in STEM Education towards Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Development. 60th Anniversary Conference Proceedings of STAN 2017.
  6. Rouse, M. and Gibiliscon, S. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education. Retrieved from http://whatis.techtarget.com/defination/STEM- January, 14, 2017.
  7. X. S. Apedoe, B. Reynolds, M. R. Ellefson, and C. D. Schunn, Bringing Engineering Design into High School Science Classroom: The Heating/ Cooling unit. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 17(5), 454-465, 2008.
  8. H. Wang, T. Moore, G. H. Roehrig, and M. S. Park, "STEM Integration: Teacher Perceptions and Practice," Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER): Vol. (1): Iss.(2), Article2. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284314636. 2011.
  9. K. Shaikh, UNESCO International Science, Technology and Environmental Education: Newsletter, xxv, 3-4. 2000.
  10. B. J. Obomanu, and M. O. Adaramola, Factors Related to Under Achievement in Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) in Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. World Journal of Education. Vol. 1, No. 1. Pp 102-109. doi:10.5430/wje.v1n1p102. 2011.
  11. H. Gonzales, and J. Kuenzi, Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education: A primer (Report R42642). Retrieved from the Congressional. 2012.
  12. B. B. Akpan, Nigeria and the Future of Science Education. Science Teachers Association of Nigeria. 2008.
  13. N. Udofia, Creating Science within and beyond the Classroom: Strategies for African Learners. World Conference on Science and Technology Education. Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia 29 September – 3 October 2013. 2013.
  14. J. Smith, and P. Karr-Kidwell, The Interdisciplinary Curriculum: a literary review and a manual for administrators and teachers. Retrieved from ERIC database. (ED443172). 2000.
  15. Fortus, D. Krajcikb, J. Dershimerb, R. C. Marx R. W. and Mamlo-Naamand, R. (2005). Design-base Science and Real-world Problem Solving. International Journal of Science Education, 855-879.
  16. J. G. Wells, and J. V. Ernst, Integrated STEM Education. Virginia Technical School Education. 2011.
  17. C. H. Lawshe, (1975) A quantitative approach to content validity. Personnel Psychology, 28, pp. 563–575. 2012.
  18. C. C. Meng, N. Idris, and L. K. Eu, Secondary Students' Perceptions of Assessments in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 10(3), 219-227. 2014.
  19. J. Navarra-Madsena, R. A. Balesb, and D. L. Hynds, Role of Scholarships in Improving Success Rates of Undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Majors. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 8, 458–464. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.12.063. 2010.
  20. J. Sikora, and A. Pokropek, Gender Segregation of Adoloscent Science Career Plans in 50 Countries. Science Education. 96(2), 234-264. 2012.
  21. R. Chritensen, G. Knezek, and T. Tyler-Wood, Students Perception of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Content and Career. Computer in Human Behaviour 34, Pp173-186. 2014.

Downloads

Published

2021-08-30

Issue

Section

Research Articles

How to Cite

[1]
Dr. Suleiman Saadu Matazu, " Undergraduates' Perception of (STEM) Education as a Tool for Enhancing Economic Development in Sokoto State, Nigeria, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology(IJSRSET), Print ISSN : 2395-1990, Online ISSN : 2394-4099, Volume 8, Issue 4, pp.162-170, July-August-2021. Available at doi : https://doi.org/10.32628/IJSRSET218431