The implementation of STEM approach in teaching electricity and statistics to a group of ix grade junior high school students in Yogyakarta

Abstract

Youth Manual (2016) predicted the increase of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) -related jobs in the next five years. One of the characteristics of these jobs is it's require capability to think and work interdisciplinary. STEM approach can be seen as a teaching approach that ask teachers to view Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as an interrelated discipline and to teach the topics within the areas by using integrative and thematic approach and teach them based on a real phenomenon. This research was aiming at trying out the implementation of STEM approach to teach the topics of electricity in Science and Statistics in Mathematics to grade IX students by using real life phenomena and to measure students' learning results. The research implemented Design Research method. Data were collected by observation and test on students' understanding of the subjects. The data was analyzed quantitatively. The results demonstrate that the students' mastery on the subjects was good and excellent. This research suggested that STEM approach has a potential to be implemented in Indonesian Junior.