Exploring the Role of Augmented Reality in STEAM Learning Environments: Evidence from Geometry Education

Technology plays an increasingly vital role in modern education, providing new opportunities to enhance engagement and conceptual understanding. Among emerging innovations, Augmented Reality (AR) enables interactive visualization that supports deeper comprehension of abstract and spatially complex concepts. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of AR technology integrated with the STEAM approach on fifth-grade students’ learning of geometric solids, focusing on spatial skills, motivation, and academic achievement. A quasi-experimental design was implemented, involving an experimental group that engaged in AR- and STEAM-based activities and a control group that followed traditional instruction. Results indicated significant improvement in geometry test performance within the experimental group (p < 0.001) and higher post-test performance compared to the control group (p = 0.005). Although motivation scores were higher in the experimental group, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.083), suggesting a positive trend that merits further exploration with a larger sample. Overall, the findings highlight the pedagogical potential of integrating AR and STEAM approaches to support engagement and conceptual understanding in geometry education.