ABSTRACT

Purpose. In today’s education system, the application of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) approaches has become a powerful tool to enhance students’ research activities. The main purpose of this study is to identify the impact of applying STEM methods within the context of renewable energy on students’ research engagement and to evaluate the effectiveness of hands-on lessons utilizing Vernier sensors. Methodology. The methodology involved investigation of the power output characteristics of solar panels, measurment of variables such as temperature and light intensity, and analysis of collected data. This pedagogical study employed mathematical and statistical analysis using the JASP software to examine the relationship between the use of STEM-based Vernier sensors and students’ research activities. Results The results indicate that integrating STEM approaches with Vernier sensors significantly enhances students’ research competencies. Students not only expanded their theoretical understanding, but also developed essential skills such as data collection, graphical representation, mathematical analysis, and drawing scientifically grounded conclusions. A comparison of post-experimental results between the control and experimental groups revealed a significant difference: t = -25.156, p < 0.001, indicating that the average performance of the experimental group was substantially higher than that of the control group. This demonstrates the strong positive impact of STEM methods on teaching effectiveness.Implications for research and practice The findings highlight the potential of STEM-based methods to enhance experiential learning and bridge the gap between theory and practice in energy education. This study offers a framework for designing engaging, hands-on lessons that improve both cognitive and practical skills.