Fostering Critical Thinking in STEM Education for Underserved Communities with a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Microscope

Malaika Waheed; Muhammad Zubair; Muhammad Bilal Hassan; Isma Javed; Qammer H. Abbasi; Muhammad Qasim Mehmood

doi:10.1109/ETOP64842.2025.11030700

Fostering Critical Thinking in STEM Education for Underserved Communities with a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Microscope

Malaika Waheed
, Muhammad Zubair
, Muhammad Bilal Hassan
, Isma Javed
, Qammer H. Abbasi
, Muhammad Qasim Mehmood

Information Technology University
University of Glasgow
Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

STEM education is often challenging for high school students in underserved communities, emphasizing the need to foster critical thinking for deeper understanding and practical application of concepts. This study presents a cost-effective, 3D-printed microscope designed to enhance STEM learning in resource-limited settings. Developed using additive manufacturing, the customizable microscope integrates with a Project-Based Learning (PBL) framework, utilizing structured rubrics to assess critical thinking and scientific knowledge. Field tests in underprivileged schools in Pakistan demonstrated significant improvements in students' data analysis, problem-solving, and experimental skills. This affordable optical tool showcases the transformative potential of photonics in advancing STEM education for underserved communities.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)	9798331543013
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/ETOP64842.2025.11030700
State	Published - 2025
Externally published	Yes
Event	2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Glasgow, United Kingdom Duration: 19 May 2025 → 22 May 2025

Publication series

Name	2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings

Conference

Conference	2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Glasgow
Period	19/05/25 → 22/05/25

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Keywords

Additive Manufacturing
Microscope
STEM education
optical instrument
outcome-based education

Access to Document

10.1109/ETOP64842.2025.11030700

Cite this

Waheed, M., Zubair, M., Hassan, M. B., Javed, I., Abbasi, Q. H., & Qasim Mehmood, M. (2025). Fostering Critical Thinking in STEM Education for Underserved Communities with a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Microscope. In 2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings (2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/ETOP64842.2025.11030700

Waheed, Malaika ; Zubair, Muhammad ; Hassan, Muhammad Bilal et al. / Fostering Critical Thinking in STEM Education for Underserved Communities with a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Microscope. 2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025. (2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings).

@inproceedings{ef10d2919d164783a5d85e8bce59dcdb,

title = "Fostering Critical Thinking in STEM Education for Underserved Communities with a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Microscope",

abstract = "STEM education is often challenging for high school students in underserved communities, emphasizing the need to foster critical thinking for deeper understanding and practical application of concepts. This study presents a cost-effective, 3D-printed microscope designed to enhance STEM learning in resource-limited settings. Developed using additive manufacturing, the customizable microscope integrates with a Project-Based Learning (PBL) framework, utilizing structured rubrics to assess critical thinking and scientific knowledge. Field tests in underprivileged schools in Pakistan demonstrated significant improvements in students' data analysis, problem-solving, and experimental skills. This affordable optical tool showcases the transformative potential of photonics in advancing STEM education for underserved communities.",

keywords = "Additive Manufacturing, Microscope, STEM education, optical instrument, outcome-based education",

author = "Malaika Waheed and Muhammad Zubair and Hassan, \{Muhammad Bilal\} and Isma Javed and Abbasi, \{Qammer H.\} and \{Qasim Mehmood\}, Muhammad",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 IEEE.; 2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 ; Conference date: 19-05-2025 Through 22-05-2025",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.1109/ETOP64842.2025.11030700",

language = "English",

series = "2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings",

publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.",

booktitle = "2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings",

address = "United States",

}

Waheed, M, Zubair, M, Hassan, MB, Javed, I, Abbasi, QH & Qasim Mehmood, M 2025, Fostering Critical Thinking in STEM Education for Underserved Communities with a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Microscope. in 2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings. 2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 19/05/25. https://doi.org/10.1109/ETOP64842.2025.11030700

Fostering Critical Thinking in STEM Education for Underserved Communities with a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Microscope. / Waheed, Malaika; Zubair, Muhammad; Hassan, Muhammad Bilal et al.
2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025. (2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

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AU - Waheed, Malaika

AU - Zubair, Muhammad

AU - Hassan, Muhammad Bilal

AU - Javed, Isma

AU - Abbasi, Qammer H.

AU - Qasim Mehmood, Muhammad

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

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AB - STEM education is often challenging for high school students in underserved communities, emphasizing the need to foster critical thinking for deeper understanding and practical application of concepts. This study presents a cost-effective, 3D-printed microscope designed to enhance STEM learning in resource-limited settings. Developed using additive manufacturing, the customizable microscope integrates with a Project-Based Learning (PBL) framework, utilizing structured rubrics to assess critical thinking and scientific knowledge. Field tests in underprivileged schools in Pakistan demonstrated significant improvements in students' data analysis, problem-solving, and experimental skills. This affordable optical tool showcases the transformative potential of photonics in advancing STEM education for underserved communities.

KW - Additive Manufacturing

KW - Microscope

KW - STEM education

KW - optical instrument

KW - outcome-based education

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M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:105009403474

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BT - 2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings

PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

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Y2 - 19 May 2025 through 22 May 2025

ER -

Waheed M, Zubair M, Hassan MB, Javed I, Abbasi QH, Qasim Mehmood M. Fostering Critical Thinking in STEM Education for Underserved Communities with a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Microscope. In 2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2025. (2025 IEEE Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2025 - Proceedings). doi: 10.1109/ETOP64842.2025.11030700

Fostering Critical Thinking in STEM Education for Underserved Communities with a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Microscope

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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Cite this