Abstract:

Gen Z's expectations and preferences, which are school-age currently, are vastly different from previous generations. Gen Z is a generation that has been in touch with technology since early childhood and cannot imagine life without social networking. The methods and forms of education need to adapt to this. The key to educating Gen Z is to provide quick information, teach them how to discover and manage information, enable them to use step-by-step activities, and encourage them to prefer working in a team. Microcontrollers can be embedded in the background with their ability to facilitate collaborative projects. In terms of STEM education, the use of exploration-oriented activities with varying degrees of student autonomy in their implementation is one option that can take into account the needs and preferences of Gen Z as much as possible.

This paper introduces a series of STEM inquiry-based activities using microcontroller devices. These activities, while primarily focusing on teaching physics, are designed to integrate knowledge from various domains, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This interdisciplinary approach not only provides a comprehensive learning experience but also underscores the relevance of microcontrollers in STEM education. The activities, designed for secondary schools, have been validated in informal education at the Centre for Informal Physics Education at the author's workplace, demonstrating their applicability in various subjects.

Keywords:

Generation Z, physics, microcontrollers, STEM education.