KitMec: A Design-Based Proposal of a Modular Educational Kit for Teaching Simple Machines in STEAM Education

This research presents the design, implementation, and validation of KitMec, a modular educational tool developed to support the teaching and learning of simple machines in engineering and design education. The study examines persistent difficulties students face in understanding and applying mechanical principles, particularly in Latin American contexts where access to didactic materials is limited or dependent on costly imported kits. A user-centered, design-based methodology was applied, structured in three stages: exploration, conceptualization, and validation. Six university instructors from industrial design, mechanical engineering, and mechatronics, along with ten design students, participated in semi-structured interviews to identify pedagogical needs. Subsequently, a digital validation involving 29 participants achieved a 72% acceptance rate. Results indicate that KitMec promotes active learning, improves conceptual understanding, and increases motivation through hands-on experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Its modular, low-cost design enables adaptability across disciplines and educational levels, contributing to inclusive and sustainable STEM/STEAM education in Latin America.