Professional Learning Community on STEM Competency: COVID-19 Pandemic Issue

Abstract

A fast-changing world causes people to face various volatility situations. Becoming global citizens, students should have 21st century skills and can solve real-world problems effectively. Integrating STEM education is a possible way to help students become more able to tackle real-life problems implemented by standard competence teachers on STEM teaching. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of developing STEM activity regarding COVID-19 pandemic issue on work and energy concept through professional learning community (STEM-PLC) on STEM teaching and STEM competency among 7 teachers and 45 students at secondary school in an Islamic Private School, Narathiwat Province. The quantitative methods: classroom observation and self-assessment were implemented. The results indicated that no teacher have lower standard on STEM teaching competency after incubating through professional learning community for 7 months which 4 teachers achieved STEM teaching competency at standard level and 3 teachers at beyond standard. Likewise, most of students (64.4%) have STEM competency at Developing level and 24.5% at Exemplary level. The finding proved that the STEM-PLC can help teachers and students to enrich competence of STEM including 4Cs 21st century skills at classroom level and tend to achieve the national education policy.