The Effect of Project-Based Learning (PjBL) on Critical Thinking Skills Form Four Students on Dynamic Ecosystem Topic “Vector! Oh! Vector!”

Abstract

Project-based learning (PjBL) can effectively help students develop critical thinking skills that are one of the key elements of STEM education. This study aimed to identify the effect of PjBL method on the critical thinking skills Form Four Students on Dynamic Ecosystem topic “Vector! Oh! Vector!” at SMK Zainab, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. This quasi-experimental study was conducted using achievement test that was administered in the form of a pre-post test. The respondents consisted of 60 students that divided into treatment groups (taught using the PjBL method) and the control group (taught using the conventional learning method) for four weeks. Independent t-test was used to answer the research question using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 software. The findings show that there is a significant effect on the construct of students’ critical thinking skills which are the construct that attributing, comparing and contrasting, grouping and classifying, analyzing, detecting bias and evaluating in experimental groups compared to control groups. The findings of this study provide information to school management, District Education Office (PPD), State Education Department (JPN) and Malaysia Ministry of Education (MOE) that the PjBL method can enhance students’ critical thinking skills when used effectively by teachers in STEM education. In conclusion, the implementation of the PjBL method can effectively enhance students’ critical thinking skills which is one of the key elements in STEM education.