Creative Thinking Process of University Students In Designing a Stirling Engine From Recycled Materials: a Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study aims to describe the creative thinking processes of university students in designing a Stirling engine using recycled materials through a qualitative approach. The research focused on exploring how students generated ideas, solved problems, modified designs, and utilized recycled materials creatively during the construction process. The study was conducted through project-based learning activities in which students designed and built a simple Stirling engine using materials such as used beverage cans, wires, bottle caps, and waste cooking oil as the heat source. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and documentation during the design and construction activities. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively through data reduction, categorization, interpretation, and conclusion drawing. The findings revealed that the process of designing the Stirling engine encouraged the development of creative thinking skills reflected in fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration. Students demonstrated creativity by generating multiple design ideas, adapting strategies when encountering technical problems, utilizing recycled materials innovatively, and refining their products through repeated experimentation. The study also found that the project promoted collaborative learning, scientific understanding, problem-solving abilities, and environmental awareness. Furthermore, the use of recycled materials encouraged students to recognize the educational and functional value of waste materials in technological innovation. Overall, the Stirling engine project provided meaningful and contextual learning experiences that supported creativity development in higher education. Therefore, project-based learning involving simple engineering activities and recycled materials can serve as an effective strategy for promoting creative thinking, scientific literacy, and sustainability awareness among university students.