Global research trends on STEM integration in high school physics education: A bibliometric analysis (2015–2025)

Hafiz Almahfuz Agusti; Heru Kuswanto; Devinda Putri Maharani; Amanatus Sa'diyyah; Hafiz Almahfuz Agusti; Heru Kuswanto; Devinda Putri Maharani; Amanatus Sa'diyyah

doi:10.3934/steme.2026016

STEM Education

2026, Volume 6, Issue 3: 372-391. doi: 10.3934/steme.2026016

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Global research trends on STEM integration in high school physics education: A bibliometric analysis (2015–2025)

Department of Physics, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia; hafizalmahfuz.2025@student.uny.ac.id, herukus61@uny.ac.id, devindaputri.2025@student.uny.ac.id, amanatussadiyyah.2025@student.uny.ac.id

Academic Editor: Feng-Kuang Chiang

Received: 24 November 2025 Revised: 09 February 2026 Accepted: 10 March 2026 Published: 03 April 2026

The integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into physics education has become increasingly crucial for fostering twenty-first century competencies. However, comprehensive studies that map global research trends on the integration of STEM in high school physics education remain limited. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 96 Scopus-indexed publications from 2015 to 2025 using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. The analysis covers publication trends, country and source productivity, citation patterns, and thematic development. The findings indicate a significant growth in publications since 2019, with the United States and Indonesia emerging as the most productive contributors. The Journal of Physics: Conference Series appears as the dominant publication source. Thematic and keyword mapping reveals research concentrations in project-based learning, critical thinking development, digital technology integration, and emerging topics such as computational thinking and virtual laboratories. Future research opportunities include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance creativity, engagement, and higher-order thinking skills in STEM-integrated physics learning. Overall, this study provides an up-to-date overview of global research dynamics and identifies strategic directions for strengthening the integration of STEM in high school physics education.
- bibliometric analysis,
- high school,
- physics education,
- research trend,
- STEM
Citation: Hafiz Almahfuz Agusti, Heru Kuswanto, Devinda Putri Maharani, Amanatus Sa'diyyah. Global research trends on STEM integration in high school physics education: A bibliometric analysis (2015–2025)[J]. STEM Education, 2026, 6(3): 372-391. doi: 10.3934/steme.2026016

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Abstract

The integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into physics education has become increasingly crucial for fostering twenty-first century competencies. However, comprehensive studies that map global research trends on the integration of STEM in high school physics education remain limited. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 96 Scopus-indexed publications from 2015 to 2025 using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. The analysis covers publication trends, country and source productivity, citation patterns, and thematic development. The findings indicate a significant growth in publications since 2019, with the United States and Indonesia emerging as the most productive contributors. The Journal of Physics: Conference Series appears as the dominant publication source. Thematic and keyword mapping reveals research concentrations in project-based learning, critical thinking development, digital technology integration, and emerging topics such as computational thinking and virtual laboratories. Future research opportunities include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance creativity, engagement, and higher-order thinking skills in STEM-integrated physics learning. Overall, this study provides an up-to-date overview of global research dynamics and identifies strategic directions for strengthening the integration of STEM in high school physics education.

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Author's biography Hafiz Almahfuz Agusti, S.Pd., is a master's student in the Physics Education Program at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia. His research interests include the implementation of STEM in physics education and the integration of ethnoscience or local wisdom as a contextual source for physics learning; Prof. Dr. Heru Kuswanto, M.Si., is a professor in Physics Education at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia. His expertise includes the development of physics learning, the integration of STEM in physics education, and the creation of culturally based learning media through Android applications. He has also published numerous reputable scientific articles in national and international journals, particularly in the areas of innovative physics instruction and educational technology integration; Devinda Putri Maharani, S.Pd., is a graduate student in the master's program in Physics Education at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Her research interests focus on the development of innovative learning media, particularly those aimed at enhancing conceptual understanding and improving the quality of physics learning processes across various educational levels; Amanatus Sa'diyyah, S.Pd., is a postgraduate student specializing in Physics Education at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Her research centers on creating educational resources and integrating STEM concepts into the teaching of physics

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