Influence of Collaborative Problem-Solving Based STEAM, Academic Ability, and Support on Engagement and Creative Thinking Skills: A SEM Study from Indonesia

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20251877

Keywords:

Collaborative Problem-Solving, Creative Thinking, Indonesia, STEAM, Structural Equation Modelling

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined the impact of Collaborative Problem-Solving Based STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), academic ability, and support on student engagement and creative thinking skills among university students in Indonesia. The objective of this study was to explore how Collaborative Problem-Solving Based STEAM, academic ability, and support influenced students' engagement and creative thinking, with a focus on understanding the relationships between these factors.
Method: A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze data. The sample consisted of 290 students from Universitas PGRI Mpu Sindok, STKIP PGRI Situbondo, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung and Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire that measured five latent variables: STEAM, academic ability, support, engagement, and creative thinking skills.
Results: The analysis revealed that STEAM-based learning significantly enhanced both engagement (β=0.463, p<0.001) and creative thinking skills (β=1.042, p<0.001), with engagement serving as a mediator between the two. Support was found to positively influence engagement (β=0.405, p<0.001) but negatively impacted creative thinking skills (β=−0.360, p<0.001), suggesting that excessive support may have hindered independent creativity. Academic ability had no significant direct effect on either engagement (β=0.0163, p=0.732) or creative thinking (β=0.0483, p=0.217).
Conclusion: The study concluded that STEAM education significantly enhanced engagement and creativity, with a balanced level of support being crucial for fostering student autonomy. These findings provided valuable insights for developing educational strategies, particularly in countries like Indonesia, where resources were limited. Future research should focus on integrating STEAM learning while ensuring a balance between support and independence to further enhance student creativity and engagement.

References

1. Thornhill-Miller B, Camarda A, Mercier M, Burkhardt JM, Morisseau T, Bourgeois-Bougrine S, et al. Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration: Assessment, Certification, and Promotion of 21st Century Skills for the Future of Work and Education. J Intell. 2023 Mar 15;11(3):54.

2. Anggrella DP, Permatasari I. Creative Thinking Skills of Elementary School Students: Is It Still Relatively Low? JENIUS (Journal of Education Policy and Elementary Education Issues). 2023;

3. Cheung ACK. Teacher STEAM Education Supported by Professional Learning Communities: A Meaningful Practice of Teacher Professional Development. Science Insights Education Frontiers. 2024;

4. Achdiyah HN, Latipun L, Yuniardi MS. The influence of social support on academic performance: The mediating role of cognitive engagement. JIPT. 2023 Aug 29;11(2):85–90.

5. Tan C seng, Chin XY, Chng STC, Lee J, Ooi C. Perceived Social Support Increases Creativity: Experimental Evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19.

6. Mariana EP, Kristanto YD. Integrating STEAM Education and Computational Thinking: Analysis of Students’ Critical and Creative Thinking Skills in an Innovative Teaching and Learning. Southeast Asian Mathematics Education Journal. 2023;

7. Cai J. Evaluation of Blended Teaching in STEAM Education Using Structural Equation Model Questionnaire Technology. Int J Emerg Technol Learn. 2023;18:72–83.

8. Siwen W, Abd. Rahim N. The Impact of Art College Students’ Innovation Learning Ability Under STEAM Education. MJSSH. 2024 Apr 30;9(4):e002777.

9. Wised S, Inthanon W. The Evolution of STEAM-Based Programs: Fostering Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Real-World Application. Journal of Education and Learning Reviews. 2024;

10. Milara IS, Cortés M. Possibilities and challenges of STEAM pedagogies. 2019 [cited 2025 Jan 31]; Available from: http://rgdoi.net/10.13140/RG.2.2.28652.31360

11. Cooke S. The Impact of Design Thinking and Steam Learning on Student Engagement. He Rourou. 2022;

12. Paraskeva F, Neofotistou E. Digital creativity and problem-solving in higher engineering education: Developing an e-course using the educational affordances of STEAM methodology. Human Interaction and Emerging Technologies (IHIET-AI 2024): Artificial Intelligence and Future Applications. 2024;

13. Bernil KJV. The Mediating Effect of Empathy in the Relationship Between Social Support and Academic Engagement of STEM SHS Students. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation. 2024;

14. Mulyadi P, Zamralita, Saraswati KDH. Social Support and Students’ Academic Engagement: In: Proceedings of the 2nd Tarumanagara International Conference on the Applications of Social Sciences and Humanities (TICASH 2020) [Internet]. Jakarta Barat, Indonesia: Atlantis Press; 2020 [cited 2025 Jan 31]. Available from: https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125948243

15. Galugu NS, Samsinar S. Academic self-concept, teacher’s supports and student’s engagement in the school. j psikol pendidik. 2019 Dec 30;5(2):141.

16. Kordrostami M, Seitz V. FACULTY ONLINE COMPETENCE AND STUDENT AFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN ONLINE LEARNING. Marketing Education Review. 2022 Jul 3;32(3):240–54.

17. Olana E, Tefera B. Family, teachers and peer support as predictors of school engagement among secondary school Ethiopian adolescent students. Cogent Psychology. 2022 Dec 31;9(1):2123586.

18. Song Y. Sustainable Growth of Learner Engagement and Well‐Being Through Social (Teacher and Peer) Support: The Mediator Role of Self‐Efficacy. Euro J of Education. 2024 Dec;59(4):e12791.

19. Hu Y, Abu Tali MB. Student Engagement and its Association with Peer Relation and Teacher-Student Relation: A Systematic Review. Kuey. 2023 Sep 22;29(4):35–49.

20. Suganda E, Latifah S, Irwandani, Sari PM, Rahmayanti H, Ichsan IZ, et al. STEAM and Environment on students’ creative-thinking skills: A meta-analysis study. J Phys: Conf Ser. 2021 Feb 1;1796(1):012101.

21. Gracia E, Nurohman S, Wilujeng I. Analysis the Implementation of STEAM Approach on Creative Thinking Ability in Science Learning. jppipa, pendidikan ipa, fisika, biologi, kimia. 2024 Nov 25;10(11):757–63.

22. Pramashela AD, Suwono H, Sulisetijono S, Wulanningsih UA. The Influence of Project-based Learning Integrated STEAM on the Creative Thinking Skills. BIOEDUKASi. 2023 Jun 25;21(2):138.

23. Ozturk O. Post-stratified Probability-Proportional-to-Size Sampling from Stratified Populations. Journal of Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Statistics. 2019;1–26.

24. Teo T, Tsai LT, Yang CC. Applying Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in Educational Research. In: Khine MS, editor. Application of Structural Equation Modeling in Educational Research and Practice [Internet]. Rotterdam: SensePublishers; 2013 [cited 2025 Feb 1]. p. 3–21. Available from: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-94-6209-332-4_1

25. Harmoinen M, Niiranen V, Munnukka J, Suominen T. Reliability and Validity of a Further Tested Appreciative Management Scale. Journal of Nursing Measurement. 2020;29:66–79.

26. Pramashela AD, Suwono H, Sulisetijono S, Wulanningsih UA. The Influence of Project-based Learning Integrated STEAM on the Creative Thinking Skills. BIOEDUKASI. 2023;

27. Wahyudi ABE, Salimi M, Hidayah R, Zainnuri H, Fajari LEW. The Improvement of Students’ Creative and Collaborative Thinking Skills by Applying STEAM-Integrated Project-Based Learning. Jurnal Iqra’ : Kajian Ilmu Pendidikan. 2024;

28. Juliharti L, Hidayati A, Helsa Y, Asrizal* A. Investigating the Impact of STEAM Learning on Higher Order Thinking and Science Achievement. Ta’dib. 2024;

29. Sangwaranatee N, Sangwaranatee N, Saisin K. Teaching STEAM and Engineering Education Through Project-Based Learning: Fostering Creativity and Innovation in Students. 2024 9th International STEM Education Conference (iSTEM-Ed). 2024;1–7.

30. Alali R, Wardat Y. Innovative Teaching: Building Engagement, Critical Thinking, and Lifelong Learning Skills. International Journal of Religion. 2024;

31. Sit M. Exploring The Knowledge And Experience Of Childhood Education Teachers On Steam Education In Indonesia. kuey. 2022 Aug 25;28(02):57–65.

32. Susanto E, Susanta A, Rusnilawati, Binti Ali SR. Developing STEAM-Teaching Module in Supporting Students’ Literacy Ability in Elementary School. j pend mat. 2024 Sep 2;18(3):349–66.

33. Bin Amiruddin MZ, Magfiroh DR, Savitri I, Binti Rahman SMI. Analysis of The Application of The STEAM Approach to Learning In Indonesia: Contributions to Physics Education. Int J Curr Educ Res. 2022 Jun 30;1(1):1–17.

34. Safi’i I, Hikmat A, Wahdini L, Jaelani AJ. Steam-Based Learning Bibliometric Analysis: Opportunities in Indonesian Language Teaching Research. JPE. 2024 Jan 20;11(1):67.

35. Huda N, Fransiska FW, Mokodenseho S, Tabilantang BH, Mokodompit A. The Influence of STEAM Education on Students’ Interest in Technology at Middle Schools in Indonesia. Learn Educ. 2024 Mar 30;2(01):50–62.

Downloads

Published

2025-07-01

How to Cite

1.
Surur M, Septi Andrini V, Arie Sandy T, Hidayati U, Permana A, Nursinar S, et al. Influence of Collaborative Problem-Solving Based STEAM, Academic Ability, and Support on Engagement and Creative Thinking Skills: A SEM Study from Indonesia. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 1 [cited 2025 Aug. 1];5:1877. Available from: https://sct.ageditor.ar/index.php/sct/article/view/1877