THE APPLICATION OF A STEM-BASED PROJECT-BASED LEARNING MODEL TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS WHILE MODERATING THEIR LEARNING MOTIVATION

Abstract

Abstract

Students' low creative thinking ability constitutes the problem underlying this study. A preliminary study in the Crafts and Entrepreneurship subject in grade XI, first semester, at SMA Negeri 1 Jalaksana revealed a decline in learning outcomes associated with weak creative thinking ability, low learning motivation, and minimal active participation among students in class. This study aims to describe the effect of the Project-Based Learning (PjBL) model with a STEM approach on students' creative thinking ability, the effect of learning motivation on creative thinking ability, and the interaction between the STEM-based PjBL model and learning motivation in enhancing creative thinking ability. The method employed was a quasi-experiment with a pretest-posttest design. The research subjects comprised two classes: class XI M 5 as the experimental class implementing the PjBL-STEM model (36 students) and class XI M 6 as the control class implementing the lecture method (36 students). The data were analysed using a Two-Way ANOVA test. The results indicate that the PjBL model with a STEM approach significantly affects students' creative thinking ability, that learning motivation likewise influences the level of creative thinking ability, and that an interaction effect exists between the learning model and learning motivation on students' creative thinking ability. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of the STEM-based PjBL model does not stand alone but is reinforced by students' level of learning motivation. Teachers are therefore advised to implement the STEM-based PjBL model while cultivating learning motivation so that the development of creative thinking ability proceeds optimally.

Keywords: learning motivation; PJBL-stem; students' creative thinking ability