Effect of STEM Problem-Based Learning on Achievement in Basic Science among Secondary School Students

Authors

  • Vincent Chukwujekwu Davidson Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria
  • Theresa Obiageli Maduegbunam Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
  • Juliana Anayo Odo Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
  • Ignatius Ifeanyi Adonu Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.
  • Chidi Nathaniel Agbo Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33830/ijrse.v7i1.1783

Keywords:

Basic science, Achievement, STEM, Problem-Based Learning, Low Ability Learners, High Ability Learners

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the effect of STEM Problem Based Learning on students’ achievement in Basic Science. This is in consideration of the fact that the Nigerian National Policy on Education provides that for a student to study any of the core science subjects at the Senior secondary school level, he must have to score a credit pass in Basic Science at Junior Secondary School level. Without a credit pass in any of the science subjects that make up Basic Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), a student cannot study any of the course in science, technology, engineering or mathematics at the tertiary education level. Unfortunately, literatures show that there is massive failure of students in Basic Science especially at the Basic      Education Certificate Examination. This study is guided by three research questions and three research hypotheses. The population for this study is junior secondary school form 2 students of Nsukka local government area of Enugu State in Nigeria. The study used random sampling technique to sample schools and employed pre-experimental research design. The sample was sub-divided into two: low ability learners and high ability learners. Data was collected at two different periods (pretest and post-test) using an achievement test constructed by the researchers. The analysis was carried out using ANCOVA, Independent Sample T-test and Paired Sample T-test using IBM SPSS version 23. The results of the analysis showed that STEM PBL is a good strategy that can be used to increase students’ achievement in Basic Science.

References

Ajagun, G. A. (2018). Towards good performance in science education. Nigerian Journal of Teacher Education and Teaching, 2(1), 117-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104315

Ajogwu, S. O., Esomugha, J. S., Ojoloha, B. O., & Bashir, A. A. (2021). VISION 2020: Problems and prospects. Journal of Teacher Education and Innovation., 22(1), 88-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2021.103502

Akinsola, S. (2023). Difficult topics in basic science: a case study of junior secondary schools in Oyo State. (PhD), University of Ibadan, Ibadan. https://sl.ut.ac.id/Difficult-Topics

Altshuler, S. J., & Bosch, L. A. (2019). Problem-Based Learning in Social Work Education. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 23(1-2), 201-215. https://doi.org/10.1300/J067v23n01_13

Ayo, O. (2019). Gender differences in academic achievement in science subjects among SS1 students in Ekiti Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Journal of Gender Issues in Nigeria., 3(1), 31- 40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00608-8

Bleicher, R. E. (2022). Nurturing confidence in preservice elementary science teachers. Journal of Science Teacher Education., 17, 165-187. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02820684

Choo, C., Clarke, E. C., & Little, C. B. (2019). Considerations for the design and execution of protocols for animal research and treatment to improve reproducibility and standardization: “DEPART well-prepared and ARRIVE safely”. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage., 25, 354-363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2017.10.006

Diseth, A. (2018). Approaches to learning, course experience and examination grade among undergraduate psychology students: Testing of mediator effects and construct validity. Studies in Higher Education, 32(3), 373-388. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070701346949

Dogan, S., Pringle, R., & Mesa, J. (2023). The impacts of professional learning communities on science teachers' knowledge, practice and student learning: A review. Professional Development in Education, 42(4), 569-588. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2014.962416

Enugu State Ministry of Education. (2017). Details of 2017 basic education examination results. Enugu: Enugu State Ministry of Education. https://neco.gov.ng/exams/bece

Enugu State Ministry of Education. (2018). Details of 2018 basic education certificate examination result. Enugu: Enugu State Ministry of Education. https://educate.enugustate.gov.ng/

Enugu State Ministry of Education. (2019a). Controversy and consensus regarding the use of differential ability testing in schools in Enugu State. Enugu: Government of Enugu State of Nigeria. https://ensubeb.enugustate.gov.ng/

Ezeokpo, C. J. (2022). Effect of problem-based learning learning on academic achievement of students in Biology. Journal of Nigrian Union of Teachers., 3(3), 102-109. https://www.icaseonline.net/journal/index.php/sei/article/view/505

Ezugwu, C. G., & Ezugwu, S. I. (2024). Students’ experiences of ability grouping and academic performance in mathematics. Journal of Pure and Applied Research in Education, 43(3), 342- 351. https://sl.ut.ac.id/Students-experiences-of-ability-grouping

Fong, C. J., Kim, Y., Davis, C. W., Hoang, T., & Kim, Y. W. (2021). A meta-analysis on critical thinking and community college student achievement. Thinking Skills and Creativity., 26, 71-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2017.06.002

Galyon, C. E., Blondin, C. A., Yaw, J. S., Nalls, M. L., & williams, R. L. (2020). The relationship of academic self-efficacy to class participation and exam performance. Social Psychology of Education, 15(2), 233-249. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-011-9175-2

Goldkuhl, G. (2020). E-government design research: Towards the policy-ingrained IT artifact. Government Information Quarterly., 33, 444-452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2016.08.002

Kusmawan, U. (2024). Beyond Traditional Practicums: Exploring the Potential of Scalable Practicum in Science Courses. Studies in Learning and Teaching, 5(3), 622-637. https://doi.org/10.46627/silet.v5i3.505

Kusmawan, U. (2024). Beyond Traditional Practicums: Exploring the Potential of Scalable Practicum in Science Courses. Studies in Learning and Teaching, 5(3), 622-637. https://doi.org/10.46627/silet.v5i3.505

Mei, C., & Pajares, F. (2022). Implicit theories of ability of Grade 6 science students: Relation to epistemological beliefs and academic motivation and achievement in science. Contemporary Educational Psychology., 35, 75-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2009.10.003

Mong, C. J., & Ertmer, P. A. (2023). Addressing STEM education needs: The case for adopting a PBL approach. Educational Technology, 53(3), 13-21. https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/44430147.pdf

Nian-Shing, C., Shing, K., Wei, C.-W., & Liu, C.-C. (2021). Effects of matching teaching strategy to thinking style on learners' quality of reflection in an on-line learning environment. Computers and Education, 56(1), 53-64. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ902307

Nnamani, P. K. (2023). The role of differential ability tests in academic performance in secondary schools. The Nigerian Teacher, 32(4), 412-420. https://iqtestprep.com/differential-ability-scales/

Ochuba, A. R. (2019). Mathematics as a service subject. Journal of Science Teachers Association of Nigeria., 16(1), 10-16. https://sl.ut.ac.id/Mathematics-as-a-service-subject

Ogbuefi, J. A., & Onyenaturuchi, B. E. (2021). The effect of ability grouping practices on student progress in mathematics: A case study of Lagos state, Nigeria. Journal of Educational Inquiry., 67(2), 126-135. https://doi.org/10.1080/02671522.2021.1961293

Oyedeji, O. A. (2020). Areas of difficulties in junior secondary science curriculum as perceived by in- service science teachers. Journal of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria., 66-75. https://sl.ut.ac.id/Educational-Assessment-in-Nigerian-Secondary-Schools

Taiwo, A. L. (2020). The role of implicit theories of intelligence and ability in predicting achievement for Indigenous students. Contemporary Educational Psychology., 47, 61-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2016.01.002

WAEC, W. A. E. C. (2022). Chief examiners report: school certificate o’ level papers. Retrieved from Lagos: https://waecgambia.org/chief-examiner-reports/

White, E. L., & Harrison, T. G. (2022). UK school students' attitudes towards science and potential science-based careers. Acta Didactica Napocensia., 5(4), 1-10. https://dppd.ubbcluj.ro/adn/article_5_4_1.pdf

York, T. T., Gibson, C., & Rankin, S. (2023). Defining and measuring academic success. Practical Assessment, Research and Evaluation, 20(5), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.7275/hz5x-tx03

Downloads

Published

2025-08-01

How to Cite

DAVIDSON, D. V. C., Maduegbunam, T. O., Odo, D. J. A., Adonu, D. I. I., & Agbo, C. N. . (2025). Effect of STEM Problem-Based Learning on Achievement in Basic Science among Secondary School Students. International Journal of Research in STEM Education, 7(1), 151–161. https://doi.org/10.33830/ijrse.v7i1.1783

Issue

Section

Research Articles