This study examines the effect of Science Process Skills (SPS) through the Discovery Learning model on students’ learning outcomes in heat material for grade XI at SMA Negeri 1 Muaro Jambi. The background of this study is the low level of students’ SPS, especially in measurement, data processing, and communication, which is influenced by learning practices that are still dominated by lectures and verificative practicum. This research used a quantitative pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design involving 35 students. The procedure included a pretest, four learning meetings using the SPS approach through Discovery Learning, observation of SPS using a Likert scale, and a posttest consisting of 15 validated multiple-choice questions. The data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and paired sample t-test. The results showed that the average pretest score was 58.66 and increased to 81.14 in the posttest, with t = 11.428 and p < 0.001. The N-Gain score was 0.56, indicating a moderate category. The average SPS score was 66.61, which was in the sufficient to good category, with observing as the strongest indicator and communicating as the weakest. These findings show that the SPS approach through Discovery Learning significantly improves students’ learning outcomes in heat material. However, further strengthening is still needed in scientific communication and numerical skills through structured worksheets, group discussions, and presentation exercises.
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