Jurnal Pijar MIPA
Vol. 21 No. 3 (2026): in Progress

Application of Virtual Laboratory (PhET) Learning Media to Students' Scientific Literacy Skills at Junior High Schools

Putri Pratiwi Abada (Department of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo)
Tirtawaty Abdjul (Department of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo)
Nurhayati Nurhayati (Department of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo)
Abdul Haris Odja (Department of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo)
Muhamad Yusuf (Department of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo)



Article Info

Publish Date
13 Jun 2026

Abstract

21st-century learning demands that students possess critical thinking, creative, and problem-solving skills based on science literacy. However, observations at SMP Negeri 3 Kabila and SMP Negeri 1 Tapa indicate that science learning remains dominated by lecture methods and limited laboratory facilities, resulting in low process skills and student science literacy. This study aims to analyze the effect of implementing the PhET virtual laboratory learning media integrated with the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model on students' science literacy skills regarding the topic of matter and its changes. This study uses a quantitative approach with a one-group pretest–posttest design, combined with a multi-site, replicated-treatment design. The research sample consisted of 112 seventh-grade students, selected via cluster sampling from two schools: SMP Negeri 3 Kabila and SMP Negeri 1 Tapa. The research instrument consisted of a science literacy test with 10 items that measured the ability to explain scientific phenomena, evaluate scientific investigations, and interpret scientific data. Data analysis used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, paired t-test (hypothesis test), and N-Gain calculation. The research results showed that the data were normally distributed and that the use of the PhET virtual laboratory media had a significant effect on students' science literacy skills, as indicated by t-values ≥ t-table in all classes. The improvement in skills was also reinforced by the N-Gain value in the moderate category. This shows that PhET-based learning is effective in improving students' science literacy. So, it can be concluded that integrating the PhET virtual laboratory with the PBL model has a positive impact on students' science literacy skills in the topic of matter and its changes and can serve as an alternative learning medium in schools with limited laboratory facilities.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JPM

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Chemistry Mathematics Physics

Description

Jurnal Pijar MIPA (e-ISSN: 2460-1500 & p-ISSN: 1907-1744) is an open-access scientific periodical journal published by the Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Mataram. Jurnal Pijar MIPA publishes original articles on current ...