IMPLEMENTASI PENDEKATAN STEAM SEBAGAI STRATEGI PENGUATAN LITERASI ABAD KE-21 DAN KETERAMPILAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH PADA SISWA SEKOLAH DASAR

Abstrak

Implementasi pendekatan STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) menjadi strategi penting dalam memperkuat literasi abad ke-21 dan keterampilan pemecahan masalah pada siswa sekolah dasar. Pendekatan ini mengintegrasikan berbagai disiplin ilmu secara holistik, mendorong siswa untuk berpikir kritis, kreatif, kolaboratif, dan inovatif melalui kegiatan eksplorasi, eksperimen, dan proyek berbasis desain rekayasa. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan analisis literatur, mengkaji berbagai jurnal, buku, dan laporan penelitian terkait penerapan STEAM di sekolah dasar. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa pendekatan STEAM efektif meningkatkan literasi sains, teknologi, dan visual, serta keterampilan berpikir tingkat tinggi, kolaborasi, dan pemecahan masalah siswa. Pendekatan STEAM memfasilitasi pengembangan keterampilan abad ke-21, seperti berpikir kritis, kreativitas, kolaborasi, dan komunikasi, melalui aktivitas pembelajaran yang kontekstual dan kolaboratif. Siswa tidak hanya memahami konsep akademik, tetapi juga belajar bagaimana menerapkan pengetahuan tersebut untuk menyelesaikan masalah nyata secara kritis dan inovatif. Namun, implementasinya masih menghadapi tantangan seperti keterbatasan sarana dan prasarana, kompetensi guru, serta integrasi kurikulum yang belum sepenuhnya mendukung pembelajaran lintas disiplin. Rekomendasi yang diberikan meliputi peningkatan kompetensi guru melalui pelatihan, penyediaan fasilitas pendukung, serta penataan ulang kurikulum agar lebih fleksibel dan responsif terhadap kebutuhan pembelajaran abad ke-21. Dengan demikian, pendekatan STEAM dapat menjadi solusi strategis dalam mempersiapkan siswa menghadapi tantangan abad ke-21, sekaligus memperkuat literasi dan keterampilan pemecahan masalah yang relevan bagi kehidupan dan dunia kerja di masa depan.

The implementation of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) approach is an important strategy in strengthening 21st-century literacy and problem-solving skills in elementary school students. This approach integrates various disciplines holistically, encouraging students to think critically, creatively, collaboratively, and innovatively through exploration activities, experiments, and engineering design-based projects. This study used a qualitative method with a literature analysis approach, reviewing various journals, books, and research reports related to the implementation of STEAM in elementary schools. The results of the study indicate that the STEAM approach is effective in improving science, technology, and visual literacy, as well as higher-order thinking skills, collaboration, and problem-solving. The STEAM approach facilitates the development of 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication, through contextual and collaborative learning activities. Students not only understand academic concepts but also learn how to apply this knowledge to solve real-life problems critically and innovatively. However, its implementation still faces challenges such as limited facilities and infrastructure, teacher competency, and curriculum integration that does not fully support cross-disciplinary learning. Recommendations include improving teacher competency through training, providing supporting facilities, and restructuring the curriculum to be more flexible and responsive to 21st-century learning needs. Thus, the STEAM approach can be a strategic solution in preparing students to face 21st-century challenges, while strengthening literacy and problem-solving skills relevant to future life and the world of work.