The Effectiveness of Stem-Oriented Project and Mini-Research Teaching Materials in Improving Student Learning Outcomes at SMP 37 Medan

Abstract

Several STEM-oriented project and mini research teaching materials created by undergraduate students were utilized in schools as a contribution of the campus to the school. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of STEM-oriented projects and mini-research teaching materials in improving the learning outcomes of science students at SMP Negeri 37 Medan. The research approach used in this study is a development research model which refers to Thiagarajan, the 4D model. The validation of the teaching materials was carried out by content-related experts, education experts and the science teacher. The effectiveness of the teaching materials was then explored in Grade 7 students of SMP Negeri 37 Medan bydistributing pre-test and post-test as data for the analysis of N-gain calculations. The results showed that the teaching materials were very feasible as accordance to the answer of the content expert; feasible as stated by the education expert; and very feasible as mentioned by the science teacher. Additionally, the students’ responses were very good and the N-gain test result was obtained at 0.5 which is categorized within the “medium” category at the distribution stage. This indicated that the implementation of STEM-oriented project and mini research teaching materials by undergraduate science students is effective in improving the learning outcomes of Grade 7 students in SMP Negeri 37 Medan in the academic year of2020/2021.