Developing Elementary School Students' Creativity through the Implementation of a STEAM-Based Waste Recycling Project in Integrated Science and Social Studies (IPAS)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56207/iraono.v4i2.237Keywords:
STEAM, waste recycling project, students' creativity, integrated science and social studies (IPAS), elementary schoolAbstract
This study aims to describe the implementation of a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) based waste recycling project in Integrated Science and Social Studies (IPAS) learning to foster the creativity of fifth grade students at SD Negeri 106/1 Pelayangan. This research employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive research design. The research participants consisted of the school principal, the fifth grade teacher, and fifth grade students. Data were collected through classroom observations, semi structured interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using the stages of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The trustworthiness of the data was ensured through source triangulation and technique triangulation. The findings revealed that the implementation of the STEAM-based waste recycling project was carried out in three stages: planning, implementation, and evaluation. The project successfully fostered students' creativity, as demonstrated by their ability to generate original ideas, elaborate on concepts, solve problems, produce diverse creative products, and collaborate effectively in groups. The successful implementation was supported by students' enthusiasm, the teacher's role as a facilitator, collaborative teamwork among students, and the availability of recyclable materials. However, several challenges were identified, including limited instructional time, differences in students' abilities, and technical difficulties encountered during product development. Therefore, the STEAM based waste recycling project can serve as an alternative instructional approach in Integrated Science and Social Studies (IPAS), promoting active, contextual, and meaningful learning while enhancing elementary school students' creativity. Keywords: STEAM, waste recycling project, students' creativity, Integrated Science and Social Studies (IPAS), elementary schoolReferences
Arango-Caro, S., Langewisch, T., Ying, K., Haberberger, M. A., Ly, N., Branton, C., & Callis-Duehl, K. (2025). 3D plants: the impact of integrating science, design, and technology on high school student learning and interests in STEAM subjects and careers. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research, 7(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43031-025-00120-4
Baidal-Bustamante, E., Mora, C., & Alvarez-Alvarado, M. S. (2023). STEAM project-based learning approach to enhance teaching-learning process in the topic of Pascal’s principle. IEEE Transactions on Education, 66(6), 632–641. https://doi.org/10.1109/TE.2023.3283850
Belbase, S., Mainali, B. R., Kasemsukpipat, W., Tairab, H., Gochoo, M., & Jarrah, A. (2022). At the dawn of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education: prospects, priorities, processes, and problems. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 53(11), 2919–2955. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2021.1922943
Bertrand, M. G., & Namukasa, I. K. (2020). STEAM education: student learning and transferable skills. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 13(1), 43–56. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIT-01-2020-0003
Chang, C.-Y., Du, Z., Kuo, H.-C., & Chang, C.-C. (2023). Investigating the impact of design thinking-based STEAM PBL on students’ creativity and computational thinking. IEEE Transactions on Education, 66(6), 673–681. https://doi.org/10.1109/TE.2023.3297221
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2022). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Dilekçi, A., & Karatay, H. (2023). The effects of the 21st century skills curriculum on the development of students’ creative thinking skills. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 47, 101229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101229
Ekayana, A. A. G., Parwati, N. N., Agustini, K., & Ratnaya, I. G. (2025). Project based learning framework with STEAM methodology assessed based on self-efficacy: Does it affect creative thinking skills and learning achievement in studying fundamental computers? Journal of Technology and Science Education, 15(1), 107. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.2751
Kuo, H.-C. (2025). Transforming tomorrow: A practical synthesis of STEAM and PBL for empowering students’ creative thinking. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 23(6), 2061–2087. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-024-10511-0
Laeli, S. I., Dafik, D., & Purwoningsih, T. (2024). The development of PJBL-STEAM learning design to improve the student creativity in handling waste: Utilizing used cardboard in making simple miniature ATMs. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 7(6), 3623–3635. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijcsrr/V7-i6-11
Muntazah, A., Elizar, E., Apriza, B., & Suprapto, I. (2025). The effectiveness of STEAM learning model iImplementation in primary school students’ IPAS learning: A systematic literature review. Journal for Lesson and Learning Studies, 8(1), 75–85. https://doi.org/10.23887/jlls.v8i1.89722
Perales, F. J., & Aróstegui, J. L. (2024). The STEAM approach: Implementation and educational, social and economic consequences. Arts Education Policy Review, 125(2), 59–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/10632913.2021.1974997
Rosmiati, I., Agustina, N. S., Maulana, Y., & Widodo, A. (2022). Analysis of the nature of science in the Merdeka Curriculum and elementary science books and their comparison between countries. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 8(3), 1618–1626. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v8i3.1701
Syamsidar, S., Rahmah, N., Muslim AR., M. A., Rizal, R., & Wilade, S. (2025). Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in a pioneer elementary school: A qualitative study of planning, pedagogy, and assessment practices. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 4(4), 3221–3234. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i4.2322
Thornhill-Miller, B., Camarda, A., Mercier, M., Burkhardt, J.-M., Morisseau, T., Bourgeois-Bougrine, S., Vinchon, F., El Hayek, S., Augereau-Landais, M., Mourey, F., Feybesse, C., Sundquist, D., & Lubart, T. (2023). Creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration: Assessment, certification, and promotion of 21st century skills for the future of work and education. Journal of Intelligence, 11(3), 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11030054
Wahyudi, A. B. E., Salimi, M., Hidayah, R., Zainnuri, H., & Fajari, L. E. W. (2024). The Improvement of students’ creative and collaborative thinking skills by applying STEAM-integrated project-based learning. Jurnal Iqra’ : Kajian Ilmu Pendidikan, 9(1), 16–29. https://doi.org/10.25217/ji.v9i1.4438
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Nada Ayu Lestari, Muhammad Yatim

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

