STEM Approach in Developing Natural Science for Junior High School Level in Order to Improve Students' Critical Thinking Skill and Scientific Process Skill

摘要

This research is aimed to discover the feasibility of the Natural Science subject teaching tools developed using STEM approach. It consists of lesson plans, worksheets, and assessment tools for evaluating critical thinking and scientific process skills. This research utilized the Research and Development (R&D) method. The Research and Development method used applies the ADDIE model (Analysis - Design - Develop - Implementation - Evaluation). The outcome of the research is the validated Natural Science subject teaching tools which were developed using STEM approach. The teaching tools were validated by academic experts (lecturers) and teachers of the Natural Science subject. The average of the validation results of the developed lesson plans was 97% which is categorized as very good. The developed worksheets were rated 3.36 which can be categorized as good. The data used for validation were analyzed using Linkert scale. The instruments used in the research were in the form of validation sheets from academic experts (lecturers), teachers of Natural Science subject, and worksheets rated by students. The feasibility of the observation sheets used to assess students' critical thinking and scientific process skills were each rated 95% and 88.9% which can be categorized as very good. The observation itself was carried out in SMP Stella Duce 1 Yogyakarta in November 2017. The results of this research show that the Natural Science subject teaching tools developed using STEM approach are feasible to use in the said subject teaching-learning processes.