The Effectiveness of STEAM-Based Learning on Elementary School Students' Cultural and Civic Literacy Skills

Arin Suandari (Universitas Muhammadiyah Oku Timur)
Afrijal (Univeritas Muhammadiyah Oku Timur)

JIPSINDO (Jurnal Pendidikan Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial Indonesia)
Vol. 13 No. 2 (2026): JIPSINDO (Jurnal Pendidikan Ilmu Pengetahuan Sosial Indonesia)

Mastery of cultural and civic literacy is one of the competencies that need to be developed since elementary education as a provision for students in understanding cultural diversity and carrying out their roles as citizens. Efforts to develop these competencies can be done through the application of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) approach that integrates various disciplines in the learning process. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of STEAM-based learning on students' cultural and civic literacy skills in cultural diversity material. The study used a quantitative approach with a pre-experimental method through a One Group Pretest–Posttest Design . All 20 fourth-grade students of Ploso Rejo Public Elementary School were involved as research subjects using a saturated sampling technique. Data collection was carried out through essay tests compiled based on cultural and civic literacy indicators. The feasibility of the instrument has been proven through validity and reliability testing with a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.79. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics and the N-Gain test . Analysis of the research results showed an increase in student abilities after participating in STEAM-based learning. The average score increased from 41.50 in the initial measurement to 79.25 in the final measurement. The N-Gain calculation produced an average score of 0.65, which is included in the moderate category. Most students experienced an increase in ability, with 40% in the high category, 55% in the moderate category, and 5% in the low category. These results show that the implementation of STEAM-based learning can strengthen cultural literacy and citizenship through learning activities that involve active student participation, connect material to real situations, and encourage collaboration during the learning process. These conditions help students understand cultural diversity more deeply while developing positive citizenship attitudes.