Integrating enquiry-based learning pedagogies and remote access laboratory for STEM education

Remote Access Laboratories (RAL) provide access to state-of-the-art science experiments and are capable of giving its users increased learning opportunities. These environments, if used in schools, can be highly effective in increasing students´ interest and skill in science knowledge and their communication and design skills. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is an interdisciplinary approach to encourage school level students to study fields related to STEM and is now a top challenge worldwide. However, the prevalent RAL technologies were developed for, and more suitable to, undergraduate engineering education. The limited operational autonomy and opportunities for collaboration restricts development of design skills and team-work, both necessary component of STEM education in schools. In this paper, different ways to expand the features of RAL to make it suitable for enquiry based learning in STEM is discussed.