IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i15p6935-d1713766.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Developing Problem-Solving Skills to Support Sustainability in STEM Education Using Generative AI Tools

Author

Listed:
  • Vytautas Štuikys

    (Faculty of Informatics, Kaunas University of Technology, 44249 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Renata Burbaitė

    (Faculty of Informatics, Kaunas University of Technology, 44249 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Mikas Binkis

    (Faculty of Informatics, Kaunas University of Technology, 44249 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Giedrius Ziberkas

    (Faculty of Informatics, Kaunas University of Technology, 44249 Kaunas, Lithuania)

Abstract

This paper presents a novel, multi-stage modelling approach for integrating Generative AI (GenAI) tools into design-based STEM education, promoting sustainability and 21st-century problem-solving skills. The proposed methodology includes (i) a conceptual model that defines structural aspects of the domain at a high abstraction level; (ii) a contextual model for defining the internal context; (iii) a GenAI-based model for solving the STEM task, which consists of a generic model for integrating GenAI tools into STEM-driven education and a process model, presenting learning/design processes using those tools. A case study involving the design of an autonomous folkrace robot illustrates the implementation of the approach. Based on Likert-scale evaluations, quantitative results demonstrate a significant impact of GenAI tools in enhancing critical thinking, conceptual understanding, creativity, and engineering practices, particularly during the prototyping and testing phases. This paper concludes that the structured integration of GenAI tools supports personalized, inquiry-based, and sustainable STEM education, while also raising new challenges in prompt engineering and ethical use. This approach provides educators with a systematic pathway for leveraging AI to develop STEM-based skills essential for future sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Vytautas Štuikys & Renata Burbaitė & Mikas Binkis & Giedrius Ziberkas, 2025. "Developing Problem-Solving Skills to Support Sustainability in STEM Education Using Generative AI Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6935-:d:1713766
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6935/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6935/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Martín Bascopé & Kristina Reiss, 2021. "Place-Based STEM Education for Sustainability: A Path towards Socioecological Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Francisco Del Cerro Velázquez & Fernando Lozano Rivas, 2020. "Education for Sustainable Development in STEM (Technical Drawing): Learning Approach and Method for SDG 11 in Classrooms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen & Thi Huy Nguyen & Thanh Khiet Tran, 2020. "STEM Education in Secondary Schools: Teachers’ Perspective towards Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-16, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Merve Şahin, 2025. "Analyzing the Foundations of Social Sustainability in Teacher Education: A Study of Self-Regulation, Social-Emotional Expertise, and AI-TPACK," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-22, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jamali, Seyedh Mahboobeh & Nader, Ale Ebrahim & Jamali, Fatemeh, 2021. "The Role of STEM Education in Improving the Quality of Education: A Bibliometric Study," MPRA Paper 114214, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 02 May 2022.
    2. Juliana Fosua Gyasi & Lanqin Zheng & Yidan Zhou, 2021. "Perusing the Past to Propel the Future: A Systematic Review of STEM Learning Activity Based on Activity Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-27, August.
    3. Hsien-Sheng Hsiao & Jyun-Chen Chen & Jhen-Han Chen & Yu-Ting Zeng & Guang-Han Chung, 2022. "An Assessment of Junior High School Students’ Knowledge, Creativity, and Hands-On Performance Using PBL via Cognitive–Affective Interaction Model to Achieve STEAM," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Arantza Rico & Elena Agirre-Basurko & Aritz Ruiz-González & Igone Palacios-Agundez & Daniel Zuazagoitia, 2021. "Integrating Mathematics and Science Teaching in the Context of Education for Sustainable Development: Design and Pilot Implementation of a Teaching-Learning Sequence about Air Quality with Pre-Service," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, April.
    5. Daina Gudonienė & Agnė Paulauskaitė-Tarasevičienė & Asta Daunorienė & Vilma Sukackė, 2021. "A Case Study on Emerging Learning Pathways in SDG-Focused Engineering Studies through Applying CBL," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-19, July.
    6. Ankui Hu & Xianhui Mao & Chenghua Fu & Mengkun Wu & Shuai Zhou, 2023. "Engineering Curriculum Reform Based on Outcome-Based Education and Five-Color Psychology Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, June.
    7. Nurfarahin Nasri & Nik Mohd Rahimi & Nurfaradilla Mohamad Nasri & Mohamad Asyraf Abd Talib, 2021. "A Comparison Study between Universal Design for Learning-Multiple Intelligence (UDL-MI) Oriented STEM Program and Traditional STEM Program for Inclusive Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-12, January.
    8. Petr Coufal & Štěpán Hubálovský & Marie Hubálovská, 2021. "Application of Basic Graph Theory in Autonomous Motion of Robots," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-15, April.
    9. Gibellato, Simone & Ballestra, Luca Vincenzo & Fiano, Fabio & Graziano, Domenico & Luca Gregori, Gian, 2023. "The impact of education on the Energy Trilemma Index: A sustainable innovativeness perspective for resilient energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(PB).
    10. Jefferson Rodrigues-Silva & Ángel Alsina, 2023. "STEM/STEAM in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS): A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-22, February.
    11. Jason D. Johnson & Linda Smail & Darryl Corey & Adeeb M. Jarrah, 2022. "Using Bayesian Networks to Provide Educational Implications: Mobile Learning and Ethnomathematics to Improve Sustainability in Mathematics Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-20, May.
    12. Mihaela-Elena Ulmeanu & Cristian-Vasile Doicin & Paulina Spânu, 2021. "Comparative Evaluation of Sustainable Framework in STEM Intensive Programs for Secondary and Tertiary Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-33, January.
    13. Zawar Shah & Shannon Kennedy-Clark & Yancong Xie & Md Shamsur Rahim & Mehregan Mahdavi & Andrew Levula, 2022. "Teacher Views on Teaching Sustainability in Higher Education Institutes in Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    14. Ji Zhang & Han Yuan & Da Zhang & Yan Li & Ning Mei, 2023. "International Engineering Education Accreditation for Sustainable Career Development: A Comparative Study of Ship Engineering Curricula between China and UK," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-19, August.
    15. Yasutaka Ozaki & Rajib Shaw, 2022. "Citizens’ Social Participation to Implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-18, November.
    16. Msawenkosi Sandile Mbokazi, 2021. "Water Wastage in Secondary Schools: A Case of Secondary Schools in Esikhaleni Circuit, King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 24(1), pages 89-98, October.
    17. Samra Maqbool & Hafiz Muhammad Ihsan Zafeer & Pingfei Zeng & Sufyan Maqbool & Zineb Draissi & Saima Javed, 2024. "Inventive leadership styles and their impact for achieving sustainable development goals in education at secondary schools: a case study from Multan, Pakistan," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    18. Esneider Gutierrez-Rivera & Manuela Escobar-Sierra & Jorge-Andrés Polanco, 2023. "Characterizing Organizational Sustainability in Catholic Schools: A Cross-National Study Applying Text Mining," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, October.
    19. Zaidi Yaacob & Nabilah Abdullah & Fazilah Razali & Sharipah Ruzaina Syed Aris, 2025. "Exploratory Factor Analysis of STEM’s Subjective Task Value and Expectation for Success Scale," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(1), pages 2975-2987, January.
    20. Annette Gough, 2021. "All STEM-Ed up: Gaps and Silences around Ecological Education in Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, March.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6935-:d:1713766. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.