The Effectiveness of Project-Based Learning Compared to Conventional Methods in Teaching Applied Mathematics for Ship Stability and Center of Mass Calculation
Abstract
Mathematics constitutes a vital foundation in maritime education, serving as an essential tool for ensuring safety, operational efficiency, and sustainability in the shipping industry. Its applications extend to critical areas such as route optimization, cost reduction, and environmental protection. Nevertheless, applied mathematics is often perceived as one of the most challenging subjects for nautical students, largely because of the difficulty in linking abstract concepts to practical, real-world maritime problems. This learning gap highlights the need for pedagogical strategies that can transform theoretical knowledge into tangible applications relevant to the maritime field. Project-Based Learning (PBL) has emerged as an effective instructional approach to address these challenges by promoting active learning, enhancing problem-solving abilities, and fostering both creativity and critical thinking. In maritime education, PBL can be particularly impactful in teaching complex topics such as ship stability, where mathematical principles play a central role. Ship stability, especially in relation to intact conditions, is crucial in vessel design and operation, as it determines a ship’s capacity to resist external forces and recover equilibrium. A key mathematical component of this process is the calculation of a vessel’s center of mass, which integrates mass distribution across structural components and loading conditions. By constructing ship models and applying coordinate-based methods, students can connect theoretical mathematics with practical stability analysis. This experiential approach not only deepens conceptual understanding but also equips future maritime professionals with the analytical competencies essential for safe and efficient operations in the global shipping environment.
References
Awewomom, J., Dzeble, F., Takyi, Y. D., Ashie, W. B., Ettey, E. N. Y. O., Afua, P. E., ... & Akoto, O. (2024). Addressing global environmental pollution using environmental control techniques: a focus on environmental policy and preventive environmental management. Discover Environment, 2(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-024-00033-5
Beer, F. P., Johnston, E. R., Mazurek, D. F., & Cornwell, P. J. (2015). Vector mechanics for engineers: Statics and dynamics (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Belenky, V. L., Spyrou, K. J., Van Walree, F., Neves, M. A. S., & Umeda, N. (Eds.). (2019). Contemporary Ideas on Ship Stability: Risk of Capsizing (Vol. 119). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00516-0
Bell, J. (2014). Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers (6th ed.). Open University Press.
Bell, S. (2010). Project-based learning for the 21st century: Skills for the future. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas, 83(2), 39–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/00098650903505415
Branch, A. E. (2007). Elements of shipping (8th ed.). Routledge.
Chen, L., Chen, Z., Zhang, Y., Liu, Y., Osman, A. I., Farghali, M., ... & Yap, P. S. (2023). Artificial intelligence-based solutions for climate change: a review. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 21(5), 2525-2557. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-023-01617-y
Code, C. S. S. (2011). Code of safe practice for cargo stowage and securing. International Mari Time Organisation.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Davis, B. (2019). Reducing fishing vessel capsizing in Newfoundland and Labrador by establishing a relationship between common causes and operators' understanding of stability and risk (Doctoral dissertation, Memorial University of Newfoundland).
Demirhan, E., & Şahin, F. (2021). The effects of different kinds of hands-on modeling activities on the academic achievement, problem-solving skills, and scientific creativity of prospective science teachers. Research in Science Education, 51(Suppl 2), 1015-1033. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-019-09874-0
Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Fossen, T. I. (2011). Handbook of marine craft hydrodynamics and motion control. Wiley.
Gholami, H., Abdullah, N. A., & Hamdani, A. (2023). Teaching the mathematical optimization concept to first-year engineering students using a practical problem. Mathematics Teaching-Research Journal, 15(4).
Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B. (2017). Statistics for the behavioral sciences (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Hanzu-Pazara, R., Varsami, C., Andrei, C., & Dumitrache, R. (2016, August). The influence of ship's stability on safety of navigation. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 145, No. 8, p. 082019). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/145/8/082019?urlappend=%3Futm_source%3Dresearchgate
Hetherington, C., Flin, R., & Mearns, K. (2006). Safety in shipping: The human element. Journal of Safety Research, 37(4), 401–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2006.04.007
Hibbeler, R. C. (2016). Engineering mechanics: Statics and dynamics (14th ed.). Pearson Education.
Hmelo-Silver, C. E. (2004). Problem-based learning: What and how do students learn? Educational Psychology Review, 16(3), 235–266. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:EDPR.0000034022.16470.f3
Hmelo-Silver, C. E. (2004). Problem-based learning: What and how do students learn?. Educational psychology review, 16(3), 235-266. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1023/B:EDPR.0000034022.16470.f3
Jin, J., & Bridges, S. M. (2014). Educational technologies in problem-based learning in health sciences education: a systematic review. Journal of medical internet research, 16(12), e251. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.3240
Johnson, R. B., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2004). Mixed methods research: A research paradigm whose time has come. Educational Researcher, 33(7), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X033007014
Kumar, R., & Acharya, A. K. (2025). Exploring the Nexus: Scientific Attitude, Scientific Interest, and Problem-Solving Ability in Science Education. International Journal of Science, Mathematics & Technology Learning, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-7971/CGP/v32i01/193-211
Melnyk, O., Onyshchenko, S., Onishchenko, O., Shibaev, O., & Volyanskaya, Y. (2024). A comprehensive approach to structural integrity analysis and maintenance strategy for ship’s hull. Journal of Maritime Research, 21(1), 36-44. https://doi.org/10.54560/jracr.v15i3.633
Mir, K. A., Purohit, P., Cail, S., & Kim, S. (2022). Co-benefits of air pollution control and climate change mitigation strategies in Pakistan. Environmental Science & Policy, 133, 31-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.03.008
Okello, M. (2025). Research on Improving Water Vehicle Stability and Strength Assessment Based on Overall Design (Doctoral dissertation, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology).
Pallant, J. (2020). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. Routledge.
Qi, Z. T. (2022). Maritime Mathematics Course Renovation in Maritime Training Programs in New Zealand. 2022 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE56618.2022.9962733
Rahmah, S., & Lubis, A. H. (2024). Problem Posing as a Learning Model to Improve Primary School Students' Mathematics Learning Outcomes in Gayo Lues. Journal of Indonesian Primary School, 1(4), 93-104. https://doi.org/10.62945/jips.v1i4.409
Rasul, M. S., Zahriman, N., Halim, L., Rauf, R. A., & Amnah, R. (2018). Impact of integrated STEM smart communities program on students scientific creativity. Journal of Engineering Science and Technology, 13(11), 80–89.
Rawson, K. J., & Tupper, E. C. (2001). Basic ship theory: Hydrostatics and strength (Vol. 1). Butterworth-Heinemann.
Rizal, S., Prayogi, S., Muhali, M., & Kurnia, N. (2023). Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Science Education: A Literature Review Study. Lensa: Jurnal Kependidikan Fisika, 11(2), 116-136. https://doi.org/10.33394/j-lkf.v11i2.14671
Shieh, R. S., & Chang, W. (2014). Fostering student’s creative and problem-solving skills through a hands-on activity. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 13(5), 650. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/14.13.650
Shpeizer, R. (2019). Towards a successful integration of project-based learning in higher education: Challenges, technologies and methods of implementation. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 7(8), 1765-1771. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2019.070815
Stopford, M. (2008). Maritime economics 3e. Routledge.
Thomas, J. W. (2000). A review of research on project-based learning. San Rafael, CA, USA.
Van Merrienboer, J. J. (2013). Perspectives on problem solving and instruction. Computers & Education, 64, 153-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.11.025
Vassalos, D., Paterson, D., Mauro, F., Atzampos, G., Assinder, P., & Janicek, A. (2022). High-expansion foam: A risk control option to increase passenger ship safety during flooding. Applied Sciences, 12(10), 4949. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12104949
Vettriselvan, R., Rajesh, D., Subhashini, S., Gajalakshmi, K., & Sakthivel, R. (2025). Developing and Applying PCK in Diverse Subjects: Best Practices for Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, and Language Arts. In Current Trends and Best Practices of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) (pp. 1-30). IGI Global Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-0655-0.ch001
Vroutsis, N., Psycharis, G., & Triantafillou, C. (2022). Crossing the boundaries between school mathematics and marine navigation through authentic tasks. For the Learning of Mathematics, 42(3), 2-9.
Wang, Y. (2023). Ship Stability Analysis: Traditional Methods Versus Geometric Method. In Stochastic Dynamic Response and Stability of Ships and Offshore Platforms (pp. 213–291). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5853-5_5
Wangid, M. N., Chandra, A. P., & Rudyanto, H. E. (2021). The science-math stories based on digital learning: Digital literacy innovation in increasing ability to solve problems. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (Online), 16(9), 94. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v16i09.22039
Wardat, Y., Tashtoush, M. A., AlAli, R., & Jarrah, A. M. (2023). ChatGPT: A revolutionary tool for teaching and learning mathematics. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 19(7), em2286. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/13272
Yang, M., Chen, L., Wang, J., Msigwa, G., Osman, A. I., Fawzy, S., ... & Yap, P. S. (2023). Circular economy strategies for combating climate change and other environmental issues. Environmental chemistry letters, 21(1), 55-80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-022-01499-6
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal La Edusci
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
