STEM to STEM: Integrating Applied Mathematics with Visual Arts to Enhance Creative Thingking in Higher Education
Downloads
Background. The integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) with the Arts, forming STEAM, has gained attention as an approach to enhance creative thinking and interdisciplinary learning in higher education. While STEM disciplines emphasize analytical and problem-solving skills, the inclusion of visual arts fosters innovation and creativity, preparing students for complex, real-world challenges.
Purpose. This study explores the integration of applied mathematics with visual arts as a STEAM approach to enhance creative thinking in higher education.
Method. The research adopts a mixed-method design, combining quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the impact of a STEAM-based curriculum. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 120 undergraduate students divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group engaged in interdisciplinary projects combining mathematical modeling with artistic design, while the control group followed a traditional STEM curriculum. Creativity was measured using the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) and student reflections.
Results. The findings reveal that the experimental group demonstrated a 40% improvement in creative thinking scores compared to the control group. Qualitative data indicated that students in the experimental group exhibited greater engagement, motivation, and ability to connect abstract mathematical concepts with practical, creative applications. Challenges included time management and adapting to interdisciplinary methodologies.
Conclusion. The study concludes that integrating applied mathematics with visual arts in a STEAM-based curriculum significantly enhances creative thinking. This approach fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and engagement among students. Future research should explore its scalability across diverse educational settings and disciplines.
Adamura, F. (2021). Problem-based learning in real number topic for practising critical and creative thinking. J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 1742(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1742/1/012038
AlAydaroos, F. (2019). How holistic interactive experience can inspire the younger generation through voluntary engagement. Acta Astronautica, 161, 363–367. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.05.041
Alves-Oliveira, P., Arriaga, P., Nogueira, S. I., & Paiva, A. (2021). Robotics-based interventions for childrens creativity. ACM Int. Conf. Proc. Ser. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1145/3450741.3465267
Chun, B. A., & Heo, H. J. (2019). Toward creative convergence: A free learning semester class with mobile device ‘making an ecological map of our schoolyard.’ ACM Int. Conf. Proc. Ser., 58–63. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1145/3337682.3337698
Desai, R., Rai, N., Karekar, J., & Desai, A. S. (2022). Poster Presentation: A novel online assessment tool for motivation, relevance and foundation for research in Mathematics. Journal of Engineering Education Transformations, 35(Special Issue 1), 168–174. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.16920/jeet/2022/v35is1/22024
Gevorkyan, S. R., Ispiryan, M. M., Sarkisyan, V. Zh., & Tadevosyan, H. V. (2023). Research and Experience of Teaching the Subject “Chess” in the Educational System of the Republic of Armenia. Psychological Science and Education, 28(6), 121–135. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.17759/pse.2023280612
Hendriana H., Hidayat W., Widodo S.A., Irfan M., Noto M.S., Perbowo K.S., & Prahmana R.C.I. (Ed.). (2020). 2nd International Seminar on Applied Mathematics and Mathematics Education, ISAMME 2020. Dalam J. Phys. Conf. Ser. (Vol. 1657, Nomor 1). IOP Publishing Ltd; Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85096438872&partnerID=40&md5=c12056ed3113d81a81d62f504ae40a35
Hinterplattner, S., Sabitzer, B., Demarle-Meusel, H., & Mössenböck, H. (2019). Promoting talents for computer science. Dalam Lane H., Zvacek S., & Uhomoibhi J. (Ed.), CSEDU - Proc. Int. Conf. Comput. Support. Educ. (Vol. 1, hlm. 557–564). SciTePress; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.5220/0007764305570564
Jantassova, D., Churchill, D., Shebalina, O., & Akhmetova, D. (2022). Capacity Building for Engineering Training and Technology via STEAM Education. Education Sciences, 12(11). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12110737
Jawad, L. F., Majeed, B. H., & Alrikabi, H. T. S. (2021). The Impact of Teaching by Using STEM Approach in The Development of Creative Thinking and Mathematical Achievement Among the Students of The Fourth Scientific Class. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 15(13), 172–188. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v15i13.24185
Jazuli, A. (2021). Reviving the role of mathematics in science through STEM. Dalam Jaelani A., Yanuarto W.N., Untarti R., & Prasetyo P.W. (Ed.), J. Phys. Conf. Ser. (Vol. 1778, Nomor 1). IOP Publishing Ltd; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1778/1/012031
Karamustafao?lu, O., & Pekta?, H. M. (2023). Developing students’ creative problem solving skills with inquiry-based STEM activity in an out-of-school learning environment. Education and Information Technologies, 28(6), 7651–7669. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11496-5
Kartikasari, I. A., & Usodo, B. (2022). The Effectiveness Open-Ended learning and Creative Problem Solving Models to Teach Creative Thinking Skills. Pegem Egitim ve Ogretim Dergisi, 12(4), 29–38. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.12.04.04
Kontrová, L., Biba, V., & Šusteková, D. (2021). Relationship between Mathematical Education and the Development of Creative Competencies of Students. European Journal of Contemporary Education, 10(1), 89–102. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.13187/ejced.2021.1.89
Kurniati D., Prihandini R.M., & Alfarisi R. (Ed.). (2022). Identifying students’ error in proving the congruency theorem of a triangle with the think aload method. Dalam AIP Conf. Proc. (Vol. 2633). American Institute of Physics Inc.; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0105259
Labanda-Jaramillo, M., Chamba-Eras, L., Erreyes-Pinzon, D., Chamba-Eras, I., & Orellana-Malla, A. (2022). DIA4K12: Framework for Managing then Teaching-Learning of Artificial Intelligence at Early Ages. Dalam Rocha A., Ferrás C., Delgado E.J., & Porras A.M. (Ed.), Lect. Notes Networks Syst.: Vol. 414 LNNS (hlm. 435–447). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96293-7_36
Lopes, J., Silva, H., & Morais, E. (2019). Critical and Creative Thinking Test for Higher Education Students. Revista Lusofona de Educacao, 44(44), 173–189. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.24140/issn.1645-7250.rle44.11
Makhmudova, D. M. (2020). Using information technology tools in mathematics lessons for teaching future teachers. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 9(3), 4168–4171. Scopus.
Mamatnabiyev, Z., Chronis, C., Varlamis, I., Himeur, Y., & Zhaparov, M. (2024). A Holistic Approach to Use Educational Robots for Supporting Computer Science Courses. Computers, 13(4). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/computers13040102
Mulbar, U., & Hasanah, R. (2021). The Influence of Discovery Learning with Scientific Approach on Students’ Creative Thinking Ability. J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 1899(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1899/1/012134
Munn, C. (2022). Computational Thinking and Robotics: What’s It All About? Dalam Research Anthology on Computational Thinking, Programming, and Robotics in the Classroom (Vol. 1, hlm. 1–20). IGI Global; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-2411-7.ch001
Nazula, N. H. (2019). The profile of students’ creative thinking skills in solving local antimagic vertex coloring problem in researchbased learning. Dalam Dafik null (Ed.), J. Phys. Conf. Ser. (Vol. 1211, Nomor 1). Institute of Physics Publishing; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1211/1/012109
Ortega, M. V., Lozano, J. M., & Sierra, A. O. (2019). Validity of microrubri, instrument to measure the development of competences in mathematics. Dalam V.-Nino E.D., Almeida E.G., & V.-Nino E.D. (Ed.), J. Phys. Conf. Ser. (Vol. 1160, Nomor 1). Institute of Physics Publishing; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1160/1/012025
Othman, O., Iksan, Z. H., & Yasin, R. M. (2022). Creative Teaching STEM Module: High School Students’ Perception. European Journal of Educational Research, 11(4), 2127–2137. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.12973/eu-jer.11.4.2127
Peltekova, E., Stefanova, E., & Nikolova, N. (2019). Space safari—Challenge for stem rangers. Dalam Vassilev T., D. of I. and I. University of Ruse 8 Studentska St, Ruse, Smrikarov A., & D. of C. S. and T. University of Ruse 8 Studentska St, Ruse (Ed.), ACM Int. Conf. Proc. Ser. (hlm. 292–298). Association for Computing Machinery; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1145/3345252.3345273
Poornima Varalakshmi, K., Yamini, P., & Shoba, K. N. (2023). Researching the ESL Classroom: Promoting Critical Thinking and Speaking Skills Through Role-Plays—A Study Among Tertiary Level Learners in the STEM Context Through Action Research. Intell. Comput. Control Eng. Bus. Syst., ICCEBS. 2023 Intelligent Computing and Control for Engineering and Business Systems, ICCEBS 2023. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCEBS58601.2023.10449204
Purwoko, R. Y., Nugraheni, P., & Instanti, D. (2019). Implementation of Pedagogical Content Knowledge Model in Mathematics Learning for High School. J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 1254(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1254/1/012079
Ramury, F. (2023). THE INFLUENCE OF INDONESIA’S REALISTIC MATHEMATICS EDUCATION APPROACH ON STUDENTS’ CREATIVE THINKING ABILITY. Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Terapan Universitas Jambi, 7(2), 99–111. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.22437/jiituj.v7i2.28700
Rifandi, R., & Laila Rahmi, Y. (2019). STEM education to fulfil the 21st century demand: A literature review. Dalam Ramli null, F. of M. and N. S. Universitas Negeri Padang Department of Physics, Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, Air Tawar, Padang, Khair M., K. F. U. Universitas Negeri Padang Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, Air Tawar, Padang, Alizar null, K. F. U. Universitas Negeri Padang Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, Air Tawar, Padang, Sumarmin R., K. F. U. Universitas Negeri Padang Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, Air Tawar, Padang, Putri D.H., K. F. U. Universitas Negeri Padang Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, Air Tawar, Padang, Yohandri null, F. of M. and N. S. Universitas Negeri Padang Department of Physics, Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, Air Tawar, Padang, Festiyed null, F. of M. and N. S. Universitas Negeri Padang Department of Physics, Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, Air Tawar, Padang, Permana D., & K. F. U. Universitas Negeri Padang Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, Air Tawar, Padang (Ed.), J. Phys. Conf. Ser. (Vol. 1317, Nomor 1). Institute of Physics Publishing; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1317/1/012208
Rudyanto, H. E., & Ghufron, A. (2019). Use of integrated mobile application with realistic mathematics education: A study to develop elementary students’ creative thinking ability. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 13(10), 19–27. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v13i10.11598
Sakon, T., & Petsangsri, S. (2021). STEAM Education for Enhancing Creativity in Packaging Design. Archives of Design Research, 34(1), 21–31. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.15187/adr.2021.02.34.1.21
Scherbakova, A., Dumas, D., Acar, S., Berthiaume, K., & Organisciak, P. (2024). Performance and Perception of Creativity and Academic Achievement in Elementary School Students: A Normal Mixture Modeling Study. Journal of Creative Behavior, 58(2), 245–261. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.646
Suchikova, Y. O., & Kovachov, S. S. (2024). Nanoart in STEAM education: Combining the microscopic and the creative. Dalam Kiv A.E., P. O. B. 653 Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer Sheva, Kiv A.E., 26 Staroportofrankivska Str. South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K. D. Ushynsky Odesa, Semerikov S.O., 54 Universytetskyi Ave. Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University Kryvyi Rih, Semerikov S.O., 9 M. Berlynskoho Str. Institute for Digitalisation of Education of the NAES of Ukraine Kyiv, Semerikov S.O., 103 Chudnivska Str. Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University Zhytomyr, Semerikov S.O., 11 Vitalii Matusevych Str. Kryvyi Rih National University Kryvyi Rih, Semerikov S.O., 54 Universytetskyi Ave. Academy of Cognitive and Natural Sciences Kryvyi Rih, Striuk A.M., 11 Vitalii Matusevych Str. Kryvyi Rih National University Kryvyi Rih, Striuk A.M., 54 Universytetskyi Ave. Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University Kryvyi Rih, Striuk A.M., … 54 Universytetskyi Ave. Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University Kryvyi Rih (Ed.), J. Phys. Conf. Ser. (Vol. 2871, Nomor 1). Institute of Physics; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2871/1/012024
Syafe’i, S. S., Widarti, H. R., Dasna, I. W., & Wonorahardjo, S. (2023). STEM and STEAM Affects Computational Thinking Skill: A Systematic Literature Review. Orbital, 15(4), 208–216. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v15i4.18323
Tamur, M., & Juandi, D. (2020). Effectiveness of Constructivism Based Learning Models Against Students Mathematical Creative Thinking Abilities in Indonesia; A Meta-Analysis Study. Dalam Riza L.S., Prima E.C., Hadibarata T., & Aubusson P.J. (Ed.), Proc. Math., Sci., Comput. Sci. Educ. Int. Semin., MSCEIS. European Alliance for Innovation; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.12-10-2019.2296507
Wei, J.-J., Lin, H.-H., & Chen, S.-L. (2023). Design of teaching aids in STEAM education and fuzzy hierarchical analysis of their educational effect. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 19(11). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13749
Yulianti, D., & Ngafidin, K. M. (2022). SCRATCH ASSISTED PHYSICS LEARNING WITH A STEM APPROACH IN THE PANDEMIC ERA TO DEVELOP 21ST CENTURY LEARNING SKILLS. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 11(1), 185–194. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v11i1.32607
Yusuf, I., & Widyaningsih, S. W. (2019). HOTS profile of physics education students in STEM-based classes using PhET media. Dalam Nandiyanto A.B.D., Abdullah A.G., Saprudin null, Sutarno null, Permana I., & Agustin R.R. (Ed.), J. Phys. Conf. Ser. (Vol. 1157, Nomor 3). Institute of Physics Publishing; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1157/3/032021
Copyright (c) 2024 Yani Prabowo, Kardina Metha Rozhana , Antonius Alam Wicaksono, Firsta Bagus Sugiharto, Kailie Maharjan

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.