DEVELOPMENT OF PBL WORKSHEETS ASSISTED BY THE STELLARIUM APPLICATION TO ENHANCE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS' CRITICAL THINKING AND COGNITIVE ABILITIESH SCHOOL STUDENTS' CRITICAL THINKING AND COGNITIVE ABILITIES

Haura Labibah (Department of Science Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)
Judhistira Aria Utama (Department of Physics Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)
Parlindungan Sinaga (Department of Physics Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia)

Eduproxima : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan IPA
Vol 8, No 3 (2026)

This study aims to develop Problem-Based Learning (PBL)-based student worksheets supported by the Stellarium application on solar system materials to enhance students’ critical thinking and cognitive abilities. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. Two classes participated: the experimental class used PBL-based worksheets integrated with Stellarium, while the control class used conventional worksheets. Data were collected through pretest and posttest assessments. Validation by three material experts indicated that the developed worksheets were highly feasible. The experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in critical thinking and cognitive abilities than the control group, with medium N-gain scores. Welch's t-test confirmed a statistically significant difference between the groups, and effect size analysis indicated a strong effect of the intervention. Therefore, the PBL-based worksheets supported by Stellarium are effective in improving students’ critical thinking and cognitive abilities.