Article Gold Open Access 2025

Enhancing students’ conceptual understanding through contextualized STEM approach: advancing science literacy in health and education; Mejorar la comprensión conceptual de los estudiantes a través de un enfoque STEM contextualizado: promover la alfabetización científica en la salud y la educación

Seminars in Medical Writing and Education
Journal · Vol. 4 · Art. 712
Abstract

Introduction: understanding plant asexual reproduction is vital for fostering scientific literacy, especially in agriculture, biodiversity, and sustainability. Yet, students often struggle with these abstract concepts due to limited contextualization and practical application in traditional instruction. This study examined the effectiveness of a Contextualized STEM Approach in improving students’ conceptual understanding, performance, and perceptions. Method: a quantitative one-group pretest-posttest design was employed with 105 Grade 7 students from a public secondary school in Iligan City. Data were collected through a researcher-made pretest and posttest, a perception survey, and performance task scores. Analyses included descriptive statistics and paired t-tests to determine conceptual gains and intervention effects. Results: findings revealed a significant increase in posttest scores (MD =-10,84, t =-40,996, p < 0,001). More students attained Mastery and Proficient levels, while those in the Unsatisfactory category decreased by 20 %. Most groups achieved the Advanced level in performance tasks, demonstrating effective application of propagation techniques. Survey responses showed strong agreement that lessons were relevant, clear, and engaging. Conclusions: the Contextualized STEM Approach enhanced students’ conceptual understanding, performance, and motivation in learning plant asexual reproduction. These results affirm its potential as an effective pedagogical strategy in science education. Future studies may investigate its scalability across varied topics and learner groups. © 2025; Los autores.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Student engagement science education conceptual understanding Contextualized STEM Approach Plant Asexual Reproduction

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Department of Science and Mathematics Education, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Department of Professional Education, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines
Funding & Acknowledgements
Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India, DSTIndia
This research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology \u2013 Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) under the Capacity Building Program in Science and Mathematics Education (CBPSME).
Science Education Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Republic of the Philippines
This research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology \u2013 Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) under the Capacity Building Program in Science and Mathematics Education (CBPSME).
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