Research Interests

Interdisciplinary Design and Learning in STEAM Education

My primary research centres on the influence of interdisciplinary STEM and STEAM design-based curricula on students’ perceptions and learning behaviours. As future global citizens, it is crucial for learners to integrate creativity, aesthetic sensibility, and social awareness—rooted in the arts and humanities—with scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical competencies in order to thrive in diverse professional settings.

In the context of Taiwan’s Curriculum Guidelines of 12-Year Basic Education, engineering design has become a key emphasis within the Technology domain. However, many senior high school teachers still face challenges in implementing effective instructional models for engineering design. Likewise, although the arts have gained visibility under the new curriculum, interdisciplinary integration—particularly the embedding of art-based creativity strategies into teaching practices—remains underdeveloped.

In recent years, I have actively drawn upon my background in graphic communication (a field historically rooted in both the arts and engineering) to collaborate with scholars and educators across science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. Together, we explore pedagogical strategies and interdisciplinary models that blend engineering and artistic design in STEAM education. These efforts aim not only to cultivate transdisciplinary competencies among students, but also to inspire educators and researchers to envision innovative, integrative approaches to future-ready teaching and learning.

About

Education

– Ph.D. in Industrial Education and Technology, National Taiwan Normal University (Aug. 2012 – Jan. 2016)

– Exchange Program in Image Imprimée, École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD), France – MOE Study Abroad Scholarship (2011.09–2012.02)

– M.F.A. in Graphic Communication Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts (Aug. 2010 – Jul. 2012)

– B.F.A. in Graphic Communication Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts (Aug. 2004 – Jul. 2008)

Experience

– Associate Professor, Department of Graphic Communication Arts, Shih Hsin University (Feb. 2025 – Present)

– Assistant Professor, Department of Graphic Communication Arts, Shih Hsin University (Aug. 2017 – Jan. 2025)

– Principal Investigator / Co-Investigator, Projects funded by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Taiwan

– Co-Investigator, Distance Learning Demonstration Project for Emerging Technology Education in Senior High Schools, K-12 Education Administration, Ministry of Education

– Curator, Golden Comic Awards Exhibition, Ministry of Culture

– Jury Member, Golden Tripod Awards, Ministry of Culture

– Review Committee Member, Digital Publishing Awards, Ministry of Culture

– Reviewer, Consumer Chemical Industry Projects, Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs

– Reviewer, Traditional Industry Technology Development Projects, Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs

– Executive Editor, Journal of Communication Research and Practice (TSSCI), Shih Hsin University

– Designer, Shih Hsin University Corporate Identity System (CIS) Manual

– Coordinator, Academic Symposium, Department of Graphic Communication Arts, Shih Hsin University

– Curator, E-book Production Exhibition, Department of Graphic Communication Arts, Shih Hsin University

Honours/Awards

2023–2024
– Research Grant Award for University Faculty, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Taiwan
– Academic Publication and Creative Work Award, Shih Hsin University

2022–2023
– Outstanding Research Faculty Award, Shih Hsin University
– Research Grant Award for University Faculty, NSTC, Taiwan

2021–2022
– Distinguished Student Advising Award, Shih Hsin University
– Academic Publication and Creative Work Award, Shih Hsin University

2020–2021
– Academic Publication and Creative Work Award, Shih Hsin University

2019–2020
– Academic Publication and Creative Work Award, Shih Hsin University

2019
– Gold Medal, KIDE International Invention & Design Expo
Tzeng, S. Y., Guo, Y. T., & Cai, W. X. (2019). Reusable Coaster to Beverage Bag (多結構杯提套墊)
– Recognition for Outstanding Talent, NSTC, Taiwan

2018
– Silver Medal, KIDE International Invention & Design Expo
Tzeng, S. Y., Nieh, H. M., Guo, Y. T., Chen, S. Y., & Ho, W. J. (2018).
Structure Display Device of 2D to 3D Conversion with LED Light-Adjusting (結合可變LED光色之2D轉3D立體結構展示裝置)
– Recognition for Outstanding Talent, NSTC, Taiwan

2017
– Recognition for Outstanding Talent, NSTC, Taiwan

Scholarly Publications & Patents

Journal Articles

– Tzeng, S. Y., & Yu, K. C. (2024). The influence of schooling environment: A review of instruments used to evaluate students’ attitudes toward technology. Journal of Technology Education, 36(1), 83-105. https://doi.org/10.21061/jte.v36i1.a.5
(Scopus, SJR 2024=0.381, Q2)

– Tzeng, S. Y., Yu, K. C., Wu, P. H., & Fan, S. C.* (2024). Do attitudes matter? An investigation into students’ attitudes toward engineering and learning performances through engineering-focused STEM curricula. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-024-09899-1
(SSCI: 193/760 of 'EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH' in 2024 JCR；IF = 2.0, Q2)

– Liu, C. Y.*, Wu, C. J., Chien, Y. H., Tzeng, S. Y., & Kuo, H. C. (2023). Examining the quality of art in STEAM learning activities. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 17(3), 382–393. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000404
(SSCI: 1/392 of 'HUMANITIES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY' in 2023 JCR；IF = 4.35, Q1)

– Tzeng, S. Y., Lin, K. Y.*, & Lee, C. Y. (2022). Predicting college students’ adoption of technology for self-directed learning: a model based on the theory of planned behavior with self-evaluation as an intermediate variable. Frontiers in Psychology, 13:865803. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.865803
(SSCI: 35/148 of 'PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY' in 2021 JCR；IF = 4.23, Q1)

– Yu, K. C., Wu, P. H.*, Lin, K. Y., Fan, S. C., Tzeng, S. Y., & Ku, C. J. (2021). Behavioral intentions of technology teachers to implement an engineering-focused curriculum. International Journal of STEM Education, 8(48), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-021-00305-z
(SSCI: 16/265 of 'EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH' in 2020 JCR；IF = 5.01, Q1)

– Ho, H. H., Tzeng, S. Y.* (2021). Using the Kano model to analyze the user interface needs of middle-aged and older adults in mobile reading. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 3, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100074
(ESCI: 21/218 of 'PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY' in 2023 JCR；IF = 4.9, Q1)

Conference Papers

– Tzeng, S. Y., & Yu, K. C.* (2025, Sept). Comparing Female High School Students’ Difficulty, Knowledge, and Problem-Solving Experience in Technology Design and Engineering Design Activities. International Pupils’ Attitudes Towards Technology Research Conference (PATT42) 2025, 30 September-3 October, UQAT, UDS, UQAM universities, Université de Lile and HEP Fribourg, Montréal, Canada.

– Tzeng, S. Y., & Yu, K. C*. (2025, Aug). Development of Technology and Engineering Literacy Assessment Instrument for High School Students in Taiwan. The International Conference on Technology Education in the Asia-Pacific Region (ICTE)2025, 22 August -25 August, Nara University of Education, Nara, Japan.

– Tzeng, S. Y., & Yu, K. C*. (2023, Oct). Rethinking Measures of Attitude Toward Technology in Technology Education. In S. Davies, M. McLain, A. Hardy & D. Morrison-Love (Eds) (2023), The 40th International Pupils’ Attitudes Towards Technology Conference Proceedings 2023, 31 October-3 November, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, 809-819. https://doi.org/10.24377/PATT40.2023

– Lee, C. Y.*, Tzeng, S. Y., Lin K. Y. (2022, Dec). Modelling the Engineering Design Process in Electronic Product Design. 11th Biennial International Design and Technology Teacher’s Association Research Conference (DATTArc). Conference conducted at Southern Cross University, Gold Coast campus, Bilinga, Australia.

– Lin, K. Y., Yu, K. C., Fan, S. C., Tzeng, S. Y., & Ku, C. J.* (2019). Technology Teachers' Behavioral Intentions when Implementing an Engineering-oriented Curriculum. In K. Lee (Chair), Technology Education New Zealand Rise Conference (TENZ). Conference conducted at the Albany Senior High School, Albany, Auckland.

– Tzeng, S. Y.*, Nieh, H. M., Chen, J. J., Guo, Y. T. (2018). From STEM to STEAM: LED light-adjusting and paper-curved pop up card hands-on curriculum module design. 2018 World Engineering Education Forum - Global Engineering Deans Council (WEEF-GEDC), Albuquerque, NM, USA, 2018, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/WEEF-GEDC.2018.8629779 (IEEE Xplore)

Technical Patents

Invention Patent
Processing Method for Converting a 2D Image into a 3D Image, Taiwan Patent, Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Invention Patent
Display Device, Taiwan Patent No. I679621, Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Utility Model Patent
Reusable Coaster to Beverage Bag, Taiwan Patent No. M581566, Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs.