FOSTERING LEADERSHIP CAPACITY FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH THE STEM PROJECT "SMART CLOTHES RACK" IN TEACHING PHYSICS 11

This paper presents the results of a study on teachers' perceptions and attitudes regarding the fostering of leadership capacity for students through the “Smart Clothes Rack” STEM project in the Physics 11 curriculum. The study employed a quantitative survey method, with a 13-item questionnaire administered to 33 practicing teachers. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Cronbach's Alpha reliability analysis. The results indicate that teachers have a positive perception of the importance of STEM education and recognize a genuine need among students for leadership development; however, specific programs in schools are limited. The “Smart Clothes Rack” project was highly rated by teachers for its potential to develop teamwork skills (M=4.0303), problem-solving skills (M=4.0303), project management skills (M=4.1818), and overall leadership capacity (M=3.9697). The study concludes that implementing well-designed STEM projects with clear objectives, such as the “Smart Clothes Rack,” is an effective and feasible method for integrating leadership development into the teaching process, contributing to the holistic development of students