Project Stemathics (Improvement of Skills in Mathematics of STEM Students): Addressing the Least Mastered Basic Mathematical Competencies of Grade 11 Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Mathematics encourages practical learning and helps promotes intelligent decision-making. Teaching and learning mathematics are at the heart of education. Learning mathematics has increased lifelong learning skills since it links school to everyday life, provides skill acquisition, prepares students for the workforce, and fosters mathematical thinking. However, in the K-12 curriculum, learning Mathematics faces academic challenges. Hence, this study aims to provide needs-assessment on competencies in General Mathematics with the aim of improving the mathematical skills of STEM students and their academic performance in Mathematics Subjects.

METHODS

In order to identify the least mastered competencies of Science and Technology Mathematics (STEM) students, a teacher-made test pre-assess the competencies of the students in General Mathematics and Pre-Calculus to nineteen (19) presently enrolled Grade 11 STEM students of Conde Labac Integrated School. Mean, percentage, and ranking was utilized to analyze the data.

RESULT

Based on the performance of STEM students in General Mathematics and Pre-Calculus, it was shown that students are classified in the satisfactory level in areas of computing simple interest and solving exponential functions and equations. However, most of the students were below the satisfactory level and did not meet expectation on solving arithmetic and geometric progressions, finding the slope of a line, and factoring.

DISCUSSIONS

The data demonstrated that the least mastered competencies can be attributed to the difficulty in learning the subject, interest, and lack of basic numeracy skills. Therefore, the program will address those factors by introducing mathematical exercises and basic mathematical operations tutorial sessions to be given to STEM students. Through Project STEMathics (Improvement of Skills in Mathematics of STEM students), quality math instruction for the initial years in the senior high school inculcate in learners a positive attitude about mathematics and connecting mathematics to other subjects. STEM students are pushed to discuss mathematics, use appropriate mathematics vocabulary, and extend their learning through Project STEMathics.