Effectiveness of Project-Based Learning in Metal Welding Technology Course with STEAM Approach in Vocational Education

Abstract

This study assesses the effectiveness of merging project-based learning (PjBL) with STEAM education in metal welding curricula for 64 vocational students at Universitas Negeri Padang over 11 sessions. A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests compared the performance of a PjBL-STEAM experimental group to a traditionally taught control group. The PjBL-STEAM approach significantly outperformed traditional methods, evidenced by higher mean N-gain scores in cognitive (0.763), affective (0.772), and psychomotor (0.759) domains, indicating its high effectiveness. Consequently, it is deduced that educational projects that amalgamate the STEAM approach yield more profound advancements in student academic outcomes than those conducted through conventional means. The procedural intricacies of the PjBL-STEAM syntax are meticulously elucidated, serving as a vital resource for educators and students alike in implementing this methodology within lecture settings and equipping students with pertinent competencies for the 21st-century workforce in the welding sector.