Enhancing High School Students' Critical Thinking Skills through STEM-PjBL in Optics Topic

Fanzuruni Fauhatun Mabrurah (Mulawarman University)
Riskan Qadar (Mulawarman University)
Nurul Fitriyah Sulaeman (Mulawarman University)

Berkala Ilmiah Pendidikan Fisika
Vol 11, No 1 (2023)

Critical Thinking is one of the most crucial skills that must be trained and improved in learning. This study aims to improve students' critical thinking skills using Project-Based Learning (PjBL) model with a STEM approach (STEM-PjBL) on optics topics. This study used a quantitative approach and one group pretest-posttest design. The sampling technique used cluster random sampling and the sample used consisted of 35 students of a class in a public high school at Samarinda. Data collection uses test techniques with 6 questions in the form of essays. The results of this study showed that using STEM-PjBL on optics topics can significantly improve students' critical thinking skills with sig values. (2-tailed) in paired T-test 0.000 and N-Gain 0.74, which is included in the high criteria. After learning, 34% of students are in the highly critical category and 66% in the critical category. The PjBL model with the STEM approach can be used to train the critical thinking skills of high school students.