ABSTRACT Science process skills are essential competencies in 21st-century science education because students are expected to think scientifically, solve problems, and conduct systematic investigations. However, students’ abilities in the topic of temperature and heat remain relatively low due to the abstract nature of the concepts and the limited implementation of experimental activities in learning. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of implementing the Problem Based Learning model assisted by PhET Interactive Simulation in improving the science process skills of seventh-grade students at SMP Negeri 3 Sidoarjo. The research employed a quantitative approach using a one-group pre-test post-test design. The participants consisted of 32 students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using science process skills tests administered before and after the learning treatment. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, N-Gain analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, and the Wilcoxon test. The findings indicated that the implementation of problem-based learning integrated with virtual simulations improved all indicators of students’ science process skills, particularly in interpreting data and drawing conclusions. Furthermore, the statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in students’ abilities after the treatment. Therefore, the integration of Problem Based Learning and PhET Interactive Simulation effectively supports more active, contextual, and inquiry-based science learning. ABSTRAK Keterampilan proses sains merupakan kompetensi penting dalam pembelajaran IPA abad ke-21 karena peserta didik dituntut mampu berpikir ilmiah, memecahkan masalah, dan melakukan penyelidikan secara sistematis. Namun, kemampuan tersebut pada materi suhu dan kalor masih tergolong rendah akibat karakteristik konsep yang abstrak serta terbatasnya aktivitas eksperimen dalam pembelajaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis efektivitas penerapan model Problem Based Learning berbantuan PhET Interactive Simulation terhadap peningkatan keterampilan proses sains peserta didik kelas VII-G SMP Negeri 3 Sidoarjo. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan desain one-group pre-test post-test. Subjek penelitian berjumlah 32 peserta didik yang dipilih melalui purposive sampling. Pengumpulan data dilakukan menggunakan tes keterampilan proses sains sebelum dan sesudah perlakuan pembelajaran. Analisis data dilakukan melalui statistik deskriptif, N-Gain, uji normalitas Shapiro-Wilk, dan uji Wilcoxon. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penerapan pembelajaran berbasis masalah yang dipadukan dengan simulasi virtual mampu meningkatkan seluruh indikator keterampilan proses sains peserta didik, terutama pada kemampuan menginterpretasi data dan menyusun kesimpulan. Selain itu, hasil analisis statistik menunjukkan adanya peningkatan kemampuan yang signifikan setelah perlakuan diberikan. Dengan demikian, integrasi Problem Based Learning dan PhET Interactive Simulation efektif mendukung pembelajaran IPA yang lebih aktif, kontekstual, dan berbasis investigasi ilmiah.
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