Developing a STEAM workbook on Simple Machines to Develop Middle School Students’ Problem-Solving Skills

Abstract

The demands of 21st-century learning encourage education and digitization to equip students with relevant skills, one of which is problem-solving skills. This study aims to develop a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) workbook on simple aircraft for junior high school students and to test its effectiveness in improving problem-solving skills. Research and Development with the 4D model is the research method used. The research subjects consisted of 60 eighth-grade students from SMPN 11 Malang. The study design employed a quasi-experimental approach with a pre-test-post-test control group. The t-test results indicated no significant difference in initial ability based on pre-test scores between the experimental and control groups (significance level 0.41), but there was a significant difference in posttest scores (significance level 0.00). The N-Gain value of 0.67 indicates that there was a significant improvement in problem-solving ability in the effectiveness category, and the effect size test yielded a value of 7.227, which also indicates the effectiveness of the STEAM workbook in the significant category. These results show that the developed workbook is valid, feasible, and effective in fostering problem-solving skills. The development of STEAM-based learning resources by integrating other 4C indicators is recommended as an innovation to support students’ readiness to face 21st-century challenges.