Integrating STEM into Project-Based Metal Coating Learning: A Model for Soft Skills Development in Vocational Higher Education

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-882-0_37How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Metal Coating; Project-Based; Soft Skills; STEM; Vocational

Abstract

Strong collaboration and adaptation skills are essential for successfully addressing complex global challenges in the modern era. This study aims to develop students’ soft skills through the integration of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) approach in Project-Based Learning (STEM-PBL) as a strategy to enhance graduate competencies. The research employs a mixed methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study subjects are mechanical engineering students selected through a non-random assignment process, with project materials focusing on metal coating using the galvanizing method. Data were collected through questionnaires, observations, and project assessment rubrics. According to the needs analysis data, the most in-demand soft skills are problem-solving (97%), team collaboration (92%), technical communication (92%), and technical creativity (78%). Statistical analysis confirms a significant enhancement of targeted soft skills following the implemented approach. Substantial gains were observed across all competencies, most notably in problem-solving (a 94.7% increase), creative innovation (an 85.7% increase), and teamwork (a 70.8% increase). These results robustly demonstrate the efficacy of the implemented approach in cultivating the holistic soft skills essential for addressing contemporary professional challenges.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Download article (PDF)

TY  - CONF
AU  - Ida Ayu Anom Arsani
AU  - I Made Rajendra
AU  - I Gede Nyoman Suta Waisnawa
AU  - I Ketut Darma
AU  - I Made Sudana
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/11/14
TI  - Integrating STEM into Project-Based Metal Coating Learning: A Model for Soft Skills Development in Vocational Higher Education
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Green Tourism Applied Science - Social Applied Science 2025 (ICOSTAS-SAS 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 321
EP  - 328
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-882-0_37
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-882-0_37
ID  - Arsani2025
ER  -