Development of Integrated IoT Robotics Activities Based on STEAM Education to Enhance Engineering Design Process Skills for Students in the Digital Age

Abstract

This research aimed to develop and evaluate the performance of a prototype IoT robot based on the STEAM education approach to enhance students' engineering design process skills. It emphasized the integration of knowledge from various fields, including science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. The experimental results indicated that the developed robot could be controlled stably and accurately through the Blynk application, with high efficiency in angle adjustments and ping-pong ball shooting, effectively supporting engineering education. The evaluation showed that students excelled in problem identification and data collection, enabling them to systematically design and develop the robot. However, students still need to improve their planning, time management, and repeated testing skills to make the design process more comprehensive. Additionally, presentation skills were identified as an area requiring improvement. The study also revealed differences among student groups, with the highest-performing groups demonstrating effective planning and repeated testing of the robot, while the lowest-performing groups need to further develop control and testing accuracy. This research highlights that integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) technology with engineering education can effectively promote and enhance students' engineering design process skills.