Enhancing Students' Conceptual Comprehension and Problem-Solving Skills in Earth Science Through Project-Based Learning Method

Abstract The effectiveness of educational learning materials in refining students’ performance is a subject of significant interest among educators. This study focuses on the effectiveness of project-based learning method in enhancing students’ conceptual comprehension and problem-solving skills in earth science among the grade 10 learners of Banilad Night High School, Cebu City, Philippines during the academic year 2023-2024. By assessing the performance of students who received the experimental treatment compare to those in a control group, this study aims to design a specific enhanced project-based learning material suitable to the needs of the learners. This study utilized a quasi-experimental design, incorporating a pre-test and post-test questionnaire derived from the Department of Education's Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC). Statistical analyses, such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test for two independent samples, and t-test for paired samples, were utilized to get the data. The lack of significant difference in the pretest performance of the control and experimental groups (p>0.05) implies that the performance from the two groups is comparable which means that they are assumed to have the same level of knowledge on the competencies that will be covered in the experiment. After implementing the enhanced learning materials and conducting post-test, the experimental group's performance was found to be significantly better than that of the control group. This explains that the intervention or the use of project-based learning method is effective in enhancing students’ conceptual comprehension and problem-solving skills. These findings provide valuable insights for the potential benefits of utilizing enhanced project-based learning material to improve learning outcomes among the students. It can be concluded that project-based learning method is effective in enhancing students’ conceptual comprehension and problem-solving skills as evident in the significant improvement on the posttest results from the experimental group exposed to the treatment. Thus, the results stress the importance of integrating both manipulative and practical learning experiences and its relevance into teaching practices. This approach cultivates self-directed and proactive learners who are not just a nation builder but a productive member in the society who are responsive to the demands of time. This research contributes valuable insights into educational practices and encourages further exploration of effective teaching strategies to enhance student learning outcomes. Keywords: Conceptual Comprehension, Enhanced Learning Material, Experimental Design, Problem-solving Skills, Project-based Learning Method