Abstract
Tsinghua University's "Introduction to Natural Science" course is a compulsory course for pre-service primary teachers. However, statistics show that as many as 86% of the students who take this course come from non-engineering or science-related disciplines, and they generally lack interest and find difficulty in learning natural science. According to literature research, STEAM-based hands-on learning activities can indeed enhance the learning motivation and effectiveness of trainee teachers. Coincidentally, the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this project focuses on the theme of "Designing COVID-19 Smart Classrooms" to integrate real-life scenarios into the curriculum, aiming to stimulate students' creative thinking and programming skills. In the teaching process, we adopt a problem-based learning (PBL) approach and a cooperative learning model, starting with real-life situations to guide students in problem-solving and exploring the integration of technology. Through this teaching methodology, we hope to cultivate students' motivation for interdisciplinary learning and enhance their learning effectiveness. In the final project presentation of this project, each group of students will create and present their COVID-19 prevention-themed works. We also invite practicing teachers and professors to serve as judges for scoring, competition, and feedback. The judges agreed that the students' work was full of rich creativity and could be applied in future teaching situations. Moreover, these works demonstrate students' deep understanding and skills in their respective fields. Through this project, we aim to change students' perception of natural sciences, stimulate their interest in learning, and unleash their creativity. At the same time, through hands-on learning activities, we expect students to achieve better learning outcomes, develop interdisciplinary learning capabilities, and ultimately enhance their competitiveness in the future workplace.