Experiential learning using STEM approach in improving students' problem solving ability

Abstract

This study aims to explore the increase of students' problem solving ability as the impact of the application of experiential learning using STEM approach. This study use a pre experiment method that is applying the one group pretest-posttest learning design. The participants are 40 students (18 male and 22 female) of second grade Science program in one high school in Province of West Java. The selection of the participants is using random class sampling technique. The data are collected based on the questions that are given to the participants. The questions are divided into five indicators of problem solving ability in Pascals' principle learning material. According to the result of this study, that using normalized gain, it shows the increase of students' problem solving ability that can be categorized in high level. The highest score for the students' problem solving ability is in describing problem and planning a solution, whereas the lowest score is in giving evaluation for the solution of the problem. The result of this study shows that the experiential learning using STEM approach can be used as an alternative to improving students' problem solving ability, especially in Pascals' principle.