Arif Rachmatullah ’21PHD: ‘The NC State College of Education has Great Faculty Members, and Working With Them Has Helped Me Develop the Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes I Need to Achieve my Dream’

Arif Rachmatullah has always been passionate about understanding how people learn science in different environments. As he graduates from the NC State College of Education with a Ph.D. in the Learning and Teaching in STEM science education program area of study, he believes that his time working with faculty in the college has given him the tools he needs to achieve his dream of becoming a successful education researcher. 

Learn more about Arif Rachmatullah

Hometown: Sumedang, Indonesia

Area of Study: Ph.D. in the Learning and Teaching in STEM science education program area of study

Activities: I had been a Graduate Research Assistant at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation and was involved in several research projects investigating how secondary school students learn science by building simulations in a computer programming environment and game-based environment. 

Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?

The NC State College of Education has a STEM education Ph.D. program that is one of the best programs in the country, and the faculty members are actively doing significant and impactful research in the field of STEM education.

Why did you choose your area of study?

I’ve been passionate about understanding how people learn science in different types of learning environments.

What do you hope to accomplish in your field after graduation?

I hope to be a science education researcher that is actively researching and publishing.

What’s your next step? What do you have planned after graduation?

I’ve been working as a STEM education researcher for SRI International since last June 2021.

How has the College of Education prepared you for that next step?

The NC State College of Education has great faculty members and working with them has helped me develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes I need to achieve my dream to become a successful education researcher.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the College of Education?

All the time I spent in the College of Education is my favorite memory.

Tell us about an experience you had with the College of Education that had the biggest impact on you or your career.

Being able to interact, exchange ideas and work with great faculty members and other students had the biggest impact on my career now.

Why did you choose education?

I am a product of an “old” day education system that asks students to memorize many things to succeed. I’ve wanted to change that by developing and researching educational approaches that help foster more essential skills than just memorizing facts.

What are your research interests? What inspired those interests?

My research interests include the intersection of science education and computer science education, particularly how students learn science using computer programming.