STEM-Integrated Problem-Based Learning and Students’ Critical Thinking Skills in Junior High School Science Learning

Authors

  • GUSNITA WANDARI Pendidikan IPA, FMIPA, Universitas Negeri Padang
  • Febri Yanto Universitas Negeri Padang
  • Fatma Wati Universitas Negeri Padang
  • Intan Lestari Mulyaning Tyas Universitas Negeri Padang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24036/semesta/vol9-iss2/773

Keywords:

critical thinking skills, problem-based learning, science learning, STEM approach

Abstract

Science learning at the junior high school level faces challenges in fostering students’ critical thinking skills, particularly on temperature, heat, and thermal expansion topics. This study aimed to examine the effect of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) model with a STEM approach on students’ critical thinking skills. A quantitative quasi-experimental method with a nonequivalent control group design was employed. The participants were seventh-grade students of SMP Negeri 40 Padang selected through purposive sampling, consisting of an experimental class implementing PBL with a STEM approach and a control class implementing PBL. Research instruments included an essay-based critical thinking test, an observation sheet on learning implementation, and a student responses questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests. The results showed that the implementation of PBL with a STEM approach was categorized as very good (96.67%), and student responses were also very good (89.60%). Hypothesis testing revealed a significant difference between the experimental and control classes (t = 13.35 > 2.00). Therefore, it can be concluded that the PBL model with a STEM approach significantly improves the critical thinking skills of seventh-grade students at SMP Negeri 40 Padang.

References

Aisyah, N. S., Kosim, Gunawan, & Gunada, Wayan, I. (2024). Indonesian Journal of STEM Education. Indonesian Journal of STEM Education, 6(2), 86–101.

Arisa, S., & Sitinjak, D. S. (2022). Implementation of the STEM-PBL Approach in Online Chemistry Learning and its Impact on Students ’ Critical Thinking Skills. 6(2), 88–96. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.23887/jpki.v6i2.39022

Ariyatun, A., & Octavianelis, D. F. (2020). Pengaruh Model Problem Based Learning Terintegrasi Stem Terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Siswa. JEC: Journal of Educational Chemistry, 2(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.21580/jec.2020.2.1.5434

Assidiq, M. H., Rahmawati, & Kurniawan, E. (2024). Pengaruh Model Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Logis pada Peserta Didik. Simpati, 2(4), 01–07. https://doi.org/10.59024/simpati.v2i4.914

Ennis, R. H. (1985). Logical Basis for Measuring Critical Thinking Skills. Educational Leadership, 43(2), 44–48.

Facione, P. a. (2015). Critical Thinking : What It Is and Why It Counts. In Insight assessment (Issue ISBN 13: 978-1-891557-07-1.).

Febrita, I., & Harni. (2020). Penerapan Pendekatan Problem Based Learning dalam Pembelajaran Tematik Terpadu di Kelas IV SD. Jurnal Pendidikan Tambusai, 4(2), 1435. https://www.jptam.org/index.php/jptam/article/view/608

Fina, I. D., & Dewi, U. (2023). Analisis Kebutuhan e -LKPD Berbasis Problem Based Learning Terhadap Pembelajaran IPA SMP Kelas VIII. 12(2), 173–178. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33627/oz.v2i2.1379

Fitra, D. K. (2022). Pembelajaran Berdiferensiasi dalam Perspektif Progresivisme pada Mata Pelajaran IPA. Jurnal Filsafat Indonesia, 5(3), 250–258. https://doi.org/10.23887/jfi.v5i3.41249

Fitriyani, F., Suyidno, S., & Perdana, R. (2023). Meningkatkan Literasi Sains Peserta Didik Melalui Problem-Based Learning Dipadu Stem Di Sekolah Penggerak. Jurnal Inovasi Dan Pembelajaran Fisika, 10(2), 209–225. https://doi.org/10.36706/jipf.v10i2.23022

Kemendikbudristek. (2022). Buku Saku: Tanya Jawab Kurikulum Merdeka. Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset Dan Teknologi, Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset Dan Teknologi, 9–46. http://repositori.kemdikbud.go.id/id/eprint/25344

Muttaqiin, A. (2023). Pendekatan STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) pada pembelajaran IPA untuk melatih keterampilan abad 21[STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) approach to science learning to practice 21st century skills]. Jurnal Pendidikan Mipa, 13(1), 34–45. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37630/jpm.v13i1.819

Ningtyas, R. D., Sari, M. P., Yanto, F., & Lestari, T. (2024). The Effect Of Stem Integrated Problem-Based Learning Model ( Pbl ) On Students ’ Learning Outcomes On Human Respiratory And Excretion System. 6(1), 32–41.

Nugraheny, D. C., & Widodo, A. (2021). Pengaruh Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Nature of Science Terhadap Pembelajaran Sains. Visipena, 12(1), 111–123. https://doi.org/10.46244/visipena.v12i1.1332

OECD 2023. (2022). PISA PISA 2022 Results Malaysia. Journal Pendidikan, 10. https://www.oecd.org/publication/pisa-2022-results/country-notes/malaysia-1dbe2061/

Putri, A. N. L., Sutarto, S., & Wahyuni, D. (2024). Meta Analisis Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Siswa SMP dalam Pembelajaran IPA. Jurnal Penelitian Pembelajaran Fisika, 15(1), 43–48. https://doi.org/10.26877/jp2f.v15i1.15580

Ruzaman, N. K., & Rosli, D. I. (2020). Inquiry-based education: Innovation in participatory inquiry paradigm. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(10), 4–15. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i10.11460

Santoso, T., Yuanita, L., & Erman, E. (2018). The role of student’s critical asking question in developing student’s critical thinking skills. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 953(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/953/1/012042

Sugiyono. (2021). Metode penelitian kuantitatif, kualitatif dan R&D.

Sutrisna, N., & Sasmita, P. R. (2022). Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning (PBL) terhadap Hasil Belajar IPA Peserta Didik Kelas VIII SMP. Science, and Physics Education Journal (SPEJ), 5(2), 34–39. https://doi.org/10.31539/spej.v5i2.3849

Yanto, F. (2022). The Effectiveness of the Problem-Based Learning Model to Improve the Students ’ 21 st Century Skills. 6(2), 232–242.

Yanto, F., Festiyed, & Enjoni. (2021). Problem Based Learning Model For Increasing Problem Solving Skills In Physics Learning. 6(1), 53–65. https://doi.org/10.26737/jipf.v6i1.1870

Downloads

Published

2026-02-05

How to Cite

WANDARI, G., Yanto, F., Wati, F., & Tyas, I. L. M. (2026). STEM-Integrated Problem-Based Learning and Students’ Critical Thinking Skills in Junior High School Science Learning. SEMESTA: Journal of Science Education and Teaching, 9(2), 108–118. https://doi.org/10.24036/semesta/vol9-iss2/773

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2026): Semesta: Journal of Science Education and Teaching (In Press)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 GUSNITA WANDARI, Febri Yanto, Fatma Wati, Intan Lestari Mulyaning Tyas

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>