Development and Productive use of Virtual Pandemic Awareness Course during COVID-19 Outbreak to Stimulate STEM Curiosity in High School Students

Abstract

In early 2020 when Covid-19 hit the globe, it caused significant destruction to the educational process. Schools were shut down, teachers and students struggled to adapt to the new method of learning. Meanwhile, Students were subjected to numerous misinformation circulating about the virus. Thereby it was crucial to develop an interactive virtual health awareness course addressing Covid-19 and utilizing STEM learning in the content of the course. Twenty students (12 Females and 8 Males) from secondary schools inside Qatar participated in the course. Diverse digital tools were integrated into the course contents, such as interactive quizzes, online games, videos, and PowerPoint presentations to increase student's interest in STEM. Furthermore, discussions with experts in various fields were held during the course to equip students with the knowledge and competencies needed to meet course outcomes. A feedback mechanism evaluated the course content design and delivery. The results indicated student's positive responses to the STEM learning experience and the activities implemented in the course. The students exhibited high attendance throughout the course, and they completed their assigned projects voluntarily. The course effectively achieved desired outcomes of the study. The design of the course content integrated various digital tools that address STEM learning and motivate students to join and retain three weeks course duration. The course effectively achieved desired outcomes of the study. The design of the course content integrated various digital tools that address STEM learning and motivate students to join and retain three weeks duration. Consequently, students' competencies, and innovation capabilities were improved.