Work in progress — Smart schoolhouse as a data-driven inquiry learning space for the next generation of engineers

This work in progress proposes a Smart Schoolhouse approach to STEM education in primary schools through engaging learners in inquiry on their surroundings in a data-rich physical and digital environment. The paper summarizes the process and outcomes of an interview with a group of experts on requirements assessment for setting up data-rich school buildings. Experts from various fields (business informatics, computer science, electronics, learning analytics and STEM pedagogy) were engaged in a focus group with a twofold purpose: to identify the setbacks of using different sensors for data collection in the physical learning environment; and to classify the possible types of data collection technologies. A small rural school has been chosen for piloting the proposed technological and pedagogical setup as an experimental school providing in-depth inquiry-based learning of STEM subjects, using the schoolhouse itself as an object and an instrument of study.