Development of Basic Science Process Skills and Science Learning Achievement on “Materials and Matter” of Grade 4 Students through the 5E Inquiry-Based Learning Model Integrated with the STAD Cooperative Learning Technique

Abstract

This study aimed to (1) study the relative growth score and compare Grade 4 students’ basic science process skills before and after learning through the 5E inquiry-based learning model integrated with the STAD cooperative learning technique on the topic of “Materials and Matter”; and (2) study the relative growth score and compare students’ science learning achievement before and after instruction using the same approach. The target group consisted of 37 Grade 4 students at the Demonstration School of Phuket Rajabhat University during the second semester of the 2025 academic year. The research instruments included (1) six lesson plans based on the 5E inquiry-based learning model integrated with the STAD cooperative learning technique, totaling 12 hours; (2) a basic science process skills assessment; and (3) a science achievement test. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, relative gain score, and a dependent-samples t-test. The results revealed that the relative gain score of basic science process skills was 38.39, with using numbers skill showing the highest improvement. The relative gain score of science learning achievement was 41.19, with the material hardness demonstrating the highest improvement. Students’ basic science process skills and science learning achievement after instruction were significantly higher than before instruction at the .01 level.