The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and theoretically sound 21st century skills-based mathematics learning model. Plomp's research and development theory and Nieveen's criteria were used to ensure the quality and reliability of the model. The model development process includes Initial Investigation, Design, and Realization/Construction. Data were collected from six schools through various instruments such as observation sheets, documents, 21st century skills tests, and interview guides. Model validation involved the participation of five experts. A blended data analysis approach was used to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the findings. The result of this study is a 21st century skills-based mathematics learning model named Model 21-BML. The model consists of five interconnected core components: Learning Syntax, Social System, Reaction Principles, Support System, and Instructional and Accompanying Impacts. The uniqueness of this model lies in the seven integrated learning trajectories: Object translation, decomposition, cognitive construction, cognitive development, communication, reflection, and extension. After going through a rigorous validation process, the five experts confirmed the high validity of the 21-BML Model. This model not only enhances innovative mathematics learning theory, but also provides practical alternatives for mathematics teachers to encourage the development of 21st century skills in students. The model is expected to make a significant contribution in bridging the gap between traditional mathematics education and the competency demands of the modern era, as well.

The aim of this study is to find out the preferences of students (150) in the first year of the study of the Preschool and Primary Education programme. The data was collected using a questionnaire in the first seminar focusing on science content (a course called Science Propaedeutics) to determine the preferences of pre-service teachers. The aim was to find out the (un)popularity of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education covering the subjects of Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Technology and Chemistry in Slovakia. The results showed that students are interested in science education. The findings also showed that students prefer more biological topics (humans and plants) and less physics, chemistry, and mathematics. They also preferred topics that they knew from everyday life. The results revealed a negative correlation between students' concerns about teaching science in their future practice and their interest in science education. We found it necessary to connect the topics to everyday life and avoid mathematical calculations. So we can increase their interest in these areas/issues in the Science Propaedeutics course.

This paper examined socio-scientific issues-related literature in science education over the past two decades, from 2004 to 2023, to enhance researchers' understanding of research trends. To this end, the Scopus database was utilized to search for articles on socio-scientific issues published from 2004 to 2023. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 288 articles were chosen for the data collection. The analysis was conducted utilizing VOSviewer software. The results show that the number of articles on socio-scientific issues in science education is steadily increasing. The most substantial growth in the number of articles was recorded in the last four years before 2024. The United States is the leader in the publication of articles. The number of citations demonstrates that the United States, Germany, and Sweden are the leading countries. The ten journals with the highest citations are ranked in the Q1 category. The research trends identified five clusters: a) decision-making, b) decision-making and argumentation practices, c) climate change, d) inquiry-based learning and the nature of science, and e) scientific literacy. Furthermore, the findings show that recent research in the context of socio-scientific issues has focused on STEM education. In light of the findings, I propose recommendations for future research.

Recently, in Indonesia, project-based learning (PjBL) has been used as an alternative approach in the teaching and learning process. Research on PjBL has been widely conducted in many countries at various levels. In most previous studies, PjBL was used to improve students' competence in certain math subjects. This study uses a case study research method to determine the effectiveness of PjBL at university in improving pre-service teachers' PCK. The research was carried out in 2022 involving fourteen mathematics education study program students selected by purposive sampling. The instruments used consisted of observation sheets, tests, and questionnaires. During the PjBL activity, participants were given a project to develop teaching materials for geometric transformation using certain teaching-learning strategies. The results of the study show that PjBL can improve students' PCK ability, although participants face several obstacles related to commitment to completing projects on time. Therefore, PjBL can be applied in the teaching-learning process to support professional mathematics teachers.

This study analyses the impact of manipulative learning tools, specifically the Engino toy blocks, on the mathematical performance of pre-primary students, especially in understanding the sections of counting and addition. The research hypothesis states that students using Engino toy blocks will perform significantly better than those using traditional learning methods. An experimental design of randomly assigning the students was employed, involving 50 students divided equally into an experimental group (students who used Engino toys) and a control group (students who did not use Engino toys). Statistical analysis included mean comparison, standard deviation and independent t-test to analyse performance differences. Findings indicate that students in the experimental group performed better, showing a mean value increase of approximately 37% compared to the control group, and a p-value was also found to be less than the significance level of .05. The large effect size of 0.83 demonstrates a strong influence of using the toy blocks in their learning experience. These results highlight the effectiveness of Engino toy blocks in improving engagement and deeper understanding of the concepts in early mathematics education.

As skills-gap between available skills and in-demand skills in the Solar Energy Technology Sector (SETS) continues to expand due to rapid growth of the sector, the need for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to design and run critical Solar Energy Technology Training (SETechTra) modules has become imperative. Informed by the findings from SETechTra project – which includes extensive literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, observations, feedback from pilot model involving circa 1500 students from schools/colleges across four European countries, this article reports on a developed strategic undergraduate (UG) 30-credit module. The module is designed to embed in-demand skills in SETS within students enrolled upon wider Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses. The contents of the module comprise learning and teaching activities engineered to embed key identified academic, industrial, and entrepreneurial in-demand skills in SETS in STEM UG students. Formative and summative assessments are the implemented assessment strategy used to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the module in the pilot model. Analysis of feedback from the pilot model demonstrations indicates significant positive impact, giving a promising indication of wider applicability to HEIs across Europe interested in fast-tracking production of more SETS industry-ready graduates.

Multimedia instructional strategies (MIS) have been shown to significantly enhance learners’ academic performance in mastering challenging chemistry concepts. However, few studies have specifically investigated using MIS to enhance students’ conceptual understanding of molecular hybridisation. This study employed a nonequivalent two-group pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design to determine the impact of MIS on students’ conceptual understanding of hybridisation. Data were collected from 60 second-year senior high school students using a diagnostic test and an interview guide. Pre-tests and post-tests were administered to two intact classes of 30 students each: one served as the experimental group and the other, the control group,  purposively sampled from two different schools. The results revealed that students in the experimental group (taught using MIS) achieved significantly higher post-test scores than those in the control group (taught using conventional methods). Additionally, the experimental group exhibited a significant improvement from pre-test to post-test scores, whereas the control group’s pre-test and post-test scores did not differ significantly. Moreover, MIS was highly interactive, promoted student interest, and enhanced students’ understanding of hybridisation. Therefore, the study recommends that science educators incorporate MIS into their instruction to improve students’ conceptual understanding of other abstract chemistry concepts. The implications of these findings are discussed in detail, highlighting the potential of MIS in chemistry education.