Developing students' critical thinking skills through the integration of environment-based STEAM project in chemistry learning

Abstract

This study aimed to develop students' critical thinking skills through the environment-based STEAM project in chemistry learning. The study consists of thirty-two students in their 10th grade who used the learning steps of the STEAM project. The environmental-based STEAM project was implemented in the molecular shapes subject through project-based learning. The research employed the qualitative approach to explore the environmental-based STEAM project in chemistry learning and students' critical thinking skills development. The data were collected through classroom observations, interviews, reflective journals, and chemistry concept tests. Students designed an innovation project with the integration of STEAM-based on the environment in molecular shape from environment-friendly materials. The results of the study were analyzed based on the pattern themes, which were found in some multiple data sources. It shows students develop their critical thinking skills with conceptual understanding, ideas connection, and assumption, then care for environmental problems. The study has challenges on integrate environmental-based STEAM in chemistry learning within empowering the students, time resources, and supply the contextual learning to raise the students' environmental awareness in daily lives.