PENGARUH PENDEKATAN STEAM TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN PROBLEM SOLVING ANAK USIA 5-6 TAHUN DI TK ASSISI MEDAN

Abstract

This study aims to examine and determine the significant effect of the implementation of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) approach on the problem-solving ability of children aged 5–6 years at TK Assisi Medan. The research method used was a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental method and a Nonequivalent Control Group Design. The population in this study consisted of all children aged 5-6 years at TK Assisi Medan, totaling 106 children, with a sample selected using the random sampling technique, comprising 26 children for the experimental class and 26 children for the control class. Data collection was carried out through observation using a problem-solving ability observation sheet instrument. The research findings based on the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U Test analysis on the posttest data showed a significance coefficient (p) of 0.011, which is smaller than the 0.05 level (0.011 < 0.05), so the alternative hypothesis () is accepted and the null hypothesis () is rejected. The experimental class that received the STEAM treatment obtained a higher posttest mean score of 25.1, compared to the control class with an average of 23.3. The conclusion of this study proves that the application of the STEAM approach provides a significant positive effect in stimulating and improving the problem-solving ability of children aged 5–6 years at TK Assisi Medan.