Student Career Interest in Science: A Study of STEM-Based Learning on Buffer Topic

Authors

  • Nabilah Putri Mabrukah Master of Chemistry Education Study Program, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  • Antuni Wiyarsi Department of Chemistry Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  • Azlan Kamari Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences, Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15575/jtk.v10i2.49767

Keywords:

buffer solution, career interest, chemistry education, STEM

Abstract

The modern era is currently highly dependent on technology in almost all aspects, so the demand for experts in the field of technology is increasing. However, this does not match the situation in schools. Therefore, countries in the world are starting to implement the STEM approach to the national curriculum. This study aims to determine the increased interest in a career in science for students after applying the STEM approach. This research is a quasi-experimental using pretest-post-test control group design. The instrument used scientific career interest questionnaire that refers to the Social Cognitive Career Theory. The results show that the application of STEM through STEM activities such as formulating problems, designing solutions, practicums, and planning projects, will provide knowledge about students' career interests. The increase in students' career interest in science in the material on buffer solutions shows significant results. Environmental aspects more dominantly influence students' career interests with the dominant indicator being school teaching staff. Further research can be carried out to see the increase in students' interest in careers in science after implementing a STEM approach at a larger sample level such as a sample of high school students in a city.

References

Avargil, S., Kohen, Z., & Dori, Y. J. (2020). Trends and Perceptions of Choosing Chemistry as a Major and a Career. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 21(2), 668–684. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RP00158A

Aydin-Gunbatar, S., Tarkin-Celikkiran, A., Kutucu, E. S., & Ekiz-Kiran, B. (2018). The Influence of a Design-Based Elective STEM Course on Pre-Service Chemistry Teachers’ Content Knowledge, STEM Conceptions, and Engineering Views. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 19(3), 954–972. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8rp00128f

Blotnicky, K. A., Franz-odendaal, T., French, F., & Joy, P. (2018). A Study of the Correlation between STEM Career Knowledge, Mathematics Self- Efficacy, Career Interests, and Career Activities on the Likelihood of Pursuing a STEM Career Among Middle School Students. IJ STEM Ed, 5(22). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-018-0118-3

Bullock, E. C. (2017). Only STEM Can Save Us? Examining Race, Place, and STEM Education as Property. Educational Studies, 53(6), 628–641. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131946.2017.1369082

Carlisle, D. L., & Weaver, G. C. (2018). STEM Education Centers: Catalyzing the Improvement of Undergraduate STEM Education. International Journal of STEM Education, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-018-0143-2

Chachashvili-Bolotin, S., Milner-Bolotin, M., & Lissitsa, S. (2016). Examination of Factors Predicting Secondary Students’ Interest in Tertiary STEM Education. International Journal of Science Education, 38(3), 366–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2016.1143137

Chapman, S., & Rebecca, V. (2017). 63. Engaging the future of STEM.

Chonkaew, P., Sukhummek, B., & Faikhamta, C. (2016). Development of Analytical Thinking Ability and Attitudes Towards Science Learning of Grade-11 Students Through Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM Education) in the Study of Stoichiometry. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 17(4), 842–861. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6rp00074f

Dabney, K. P., Tai, R. H., Almarode, J. T., Miller-Friedmann, J. L., Sonnert, G., Sadler, P. M., & Hazari, Z. (2012). Out-of-School Time Science Activities and Their Association with Career Interest in STEM. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 2(1), 63–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2011.629455

Fitriyana, N., Wiyarsi, A., Pratomo, H., & Marfuatun, M. (2024). The Importance of Integrated STEM Learning in Chemistry Lesson: Perspectives from High School and Vocational School Chemistry Teachers. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 14(2), 418. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.2356

Fitriyana, N., Wiyarsi, A., Pratomo, H., Marfuatun, M., Krisdiyanti, A., & Adilaregina, W. (2021). In-Service Chemistry Teachers’ Prior Knowledge Regarding STEM Integration in High School Chemistry Learning. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Research, Implementation, and Education of Mathematics and Sciences, 218-230. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210305.033

Franz-Odendaal, T. A., Blotnicky, K., French, F., & Joy, P. (2016). Experiences and Perceptions of STEM Subjects, Careers, and Engagement in STEM Activities Among Middle School Students in the Maritime Provinces. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 16(2), 153–168. https://doi.org/10.1080/14926156.2016.1166291

Hackett, G., & Byars, A. M. (1996). Social Cognitive Theory and the Career Development of African American Women. The Career Development Quarterly, 44(4), 322–340. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-0045.1996.tb00449.x

Huri, N. H. D., & Karpudewan, M. (2019). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Integrated STEM-Lab Activities in Improving Secondary School Students’ Understanding of Electrolysis. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 20(3), 495–508. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9rp00021f

Jones, M. G., Childers, G., Corin, E., Chesnutt, K., & Andre, T. (2019). Free Choice Science Learning and STEM Career Choice. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 9(1), 29–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2018.1534024

Lewis, T. (2006). Design and Inquiry: Bases for an Accommodation between Science and Technology Education in the Curriculum?. Journal of Research and Science Teaching, 43(3), 255–281. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20111

Miller, K., Sonnert, G., & Sadler, P. (2018). The Influence of Students’ Participation in STEM Competitions on Their Interest in STEM Careers. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement, 8(2), 95–114. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2017.1397298

Mohd Shahali, E. H., Halim, L., Rasul, M. S., Osman, K., & Mohamad Arsad, N. (2019). Students’ Interest towards STEM: A Longitudinal Study. Research in Science and Technological Education, 37(1), 71–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2018.1489789

National Science & Technology Council. (2018). Charting a course for success: America’s strategy for STEM education. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/05/f62/STEM-Education-Strategic-Plan-2018.pdf

Petritis, S. J., Kelley, C., & Talanquer, V. (2021). Exploring The Impact of the Framing of a Laboratory Experiment on the Nature of Student Argumentation. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 22(1), 122–135. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0rp00268b

Reinhold, S., Holzberger, D., & Seidel, T. (2018). Encouraging a Career in Science: A Research Review of Secondary Schools’ Effects on Students’ STEM Orientation. Studies in Science Education, 54(1), 69–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057267.2018.1442900

Sanders, M. (2008). STEM, STEM Education, STEM Mania. The Technology Teacher, 20–27. Retrieved from https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/51616/STEMmania.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Sellami, A. L., Al-Rakeb, N. A., & Tok, E. (2023). Secondary School Students’ Interest in STEM Careers in Qatar. Education Sciences, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13040369

Shahali, E. H. M., Halim, L., Rasul, S., Osman, K., Ikhsan, Z., & Rahim, F. (2015). Bitara-Stemt Training of Trainers’ Programme: Impact on Trainers’ Knowledge, Beliefs, Attitudes and Efficacy Towards Integrated Stem Teaching. J. Baltic Sci, 14(1), 85–95. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/15.14.85

Tan, M. (2018). Why STEM? Why Now? Educating for Technologies, or Technologies For Education?. In Learning: Research and Practice (Vol. 4, Issue 2, pp. 203–209). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1080/23735082.2018.1511275

Downloads

Published

2025-12-27

How to Cite

Mabrukah, N. P., Wiyarsi, A., & Kamari, A. (2025). Student Career Interest in Science: A Study of STEM-Based Learning on Buffer Topic. JTK (Jurnal Tadris Kimiya), 10(2), 219–229. https://doi.org/10.15575/jtk.v10i2.49767

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

Citation Check

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Nabilah Putri Mabrukah, Antuni Wiyarsi, Azlan Kamari

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).