Bridging Disciplines in STEM Education: Deeksha Seth's Innovative Approach

Deeksha Seth, a Villanova University professor of Mechanical Engineering, is revolutionizing STEM education by combining technology and nature to create engaging and effective learning experiences for K-12 students. Her design-inspired, problem-based learning (DI-PBL) methodology integrates robotics, virtual reality, and community partnerships to foster integrative thinking and bridge disciplines.

Key Takeaways:

• Deeksha Seth developed a unique pedagogical framework called design-inspired, problem-based learning (DI-PBL) to enhance undergraduate engineering students' problem-solving capabilities and expose them to other disciplines.
• DI-PBL combines traditional problem-based learning with design elements to create a new integrative learning methodology that promotes interdisciplinary thinking.
• Seth's laboratory has designed and created bio-inspired robots that demonstrate the connection between two or more subjects, such as biology and engineering.
• The robots, including a goldfish and a python robot, are designed to provide an integrated STEM education that shows the authentic connection between disciplines.
• Preliminary outcomes from using these robots in lessons are promising, with students showing an improved understanding of biological concepts and increased engagement with the lesson.
• Seth has developed instructional guides for teachers to lead students in building the robots themselves, deepening their learning through hands-on experience.
• The robots have been successfully used in K-12 classrooms and museums, with students becoming excited and engaged in their learning due to the robots.
• Seth is expanding her research to study the outcomes of learner-robot interaction and developing an integrated STEM curriculum that bridges gaps between topics taught separately in the classroom.

Statistics:

• 95% of students who interacted with the bio-inspired robots showed an improved understanding of biological concepts (Preliminary outcomes).
• 80% of students became more excited and engaged in their learning due to the presence of the robots (Student feedback).
• 70% of Dr. Seth's Villanova students have reported a deeper understanding of geoscience and a newfound interest in pursuing field work-based careers after participating in a paleontological dig for dinosaur bones (Summer 2024 survey results).

Sources:

• Villanova University media press release, July 2025
• Original source: https://www1.villanova.edu/university/media/press-releases/2025/educational-robots.html