The effect of the guided inquiry model using PhET simulation media on students' problem-solving ability in static fluid material

This study examines the effect of the guided inquiry model with PhET simulation on students' problem-solving skills in static fluid material. The method used was a pre-experiment with a one-group pretest-posttest design, involving 43 students selected by purposive sampling. Data were obtained through essay tests and analyzed using SPSS 27. Statistical analysis showed a significant increase in problem-solving skills (p = 0.001, <0.05). This 55.79% increase indicates the effectiveness of the PhET-based guided inquiry model in improving students' problem-solving skills. The implication is that this model helps students develop problem-solving skills by guiding them in identifying problems, formulating hypotheses, and evaluating solutions based on static fluid principles. Teachers can adopt this model to guide students in developing systematic and evidence-based problem-solving strategies. Further research is suggested to test its effectiveness on other physics concepts or compare it with direct experimental methods.