A Study on the Correlation of 21st-Century Skills Through a STEM Approach

Abstract

This study aims to examine the correlation between the development of 21st -century skills in SMA Bintang Madani Omni students. Twenty-one tenth-grade students participated in physics learning on renewable energy using the STEM approach. Students created wind and microhydro power plant projects. Each student assessed each other's 21st-century skills in their group during the four-week learning process. Correlation analysis of each aspect, including collaboration, character (contribution), communication, creativity, and problem-solving, was conducted using the bivariate correlation method on SPSS. After the correlation analysis of 21st-century skills was conducted, students learned about global warming. An inquiry approach was used during global warming learning. Each student assessed their classmates' presentations on each aspect of the 21st-century skills mentioned above. The strongest correlations were found in the collaboration-problem-solving, creativity-collaboration, and character (contribution)-collaboration aspects. Collaboration skills are an important point that has a strong correlation with the aspects of creativity, contribution, and problem-solving. The average score development of 21st-century skills aspects from the STEM approach (renewable energy topic) to the inquiry approach (global warming topic) was positive for 11 students. There were 10 students who experienced a decrease in 21st-century skills scores. This can be a trigger of problem formulation for further research. The results of this study are expected to be material for educators' reflection when applying the STEM approach in the classroom.