Interpreting the investigative science learning environment (ISLE) for its implementation in Indonesian STEM education

This approach was developed by Distinguished Professor Eugenia Etkina from the Graduate School of Education (GSE) of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, USA. The ISLE approach emphasizes the importance of nurturing students' scientific abilities and has been recognized by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) with the 2014 Robert A. Millikan Medal. The ISLE approach involves a cycle of processes, including observing, explaining, observing again, finding patterns, explaining, designing experiments, testing ideas, predicting outcomes, and revising explanations. This cycle is designed to help students develop their understanding of physics concepts by designing their own experiments and reasoning from them. The approach has been implemented in various settings, including workshops and class observations, and has shown promising results in engaging students and improving their understanding of physics concepts. In Indonesia, the ISLE approach has been introduced to science teachers through workshops and training programs. However, some teachers have struggled to understand the approach properly, and the lack of English proficiency has been a significant barrier to effective learning. To address this issue, it is suggested that research team members who are proficient in English receive training first, followed by workshops for teachers. The ISLE approach has been found to be effective in promoting active learning and engagement among students. In a workshop conducted at Universitas Syiah Kuala in Aceh, Indonesia, students were able to follow lesson plans and create observational experiments, give explanations, and test their explanations by making predictions of the outcomes of the testing experiments. However, some teachers still produced cookbook-type lesson plans that were not aligned with the spirit of the ISLE approach. The ISLE approach has the potential to be applied not only in physics courses but also in other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. To explore this possibility, researchers have proposed a project to integrate ISLE in science instructions and improve science teachers' abilities in STEM education. The project has implemented various programs, including outreach and collaborations, development of learning resources, development of teachers' capacity building, and advocacy of STEM education. The ISLE approach has been found to be a powerful tool for teaching physics and has the potential to be applied in various settings. However, its implementation requires careful planning and training to ensure that teachers understand the approach properly and can effectively implement it in their classrooms.