DEVELOPMENT OF A LOCAL CURRICULUM FOR THE SUBJECT “PLANT TISSUE CULTURE” FOR GRADE 10 STUDENTS USING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES BASED ON THE IP-CAS PRINCIPLES

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a local curriculum for the subject "Plant Tissue Culture" for Grade 10 students using project-based learning activities based on the principles of Inquiry-based Exploration, Practical Skills Development, Collaboration and Communication, Analysis and Application, Self-reflection and Lifelong Learning (IP-CAS), and to compare learning achievement against the 80% criterion, as well as to analyze students' opinions toward the curriculum. The sample consisted of 30 Grade 10 students selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments included a local curriculum for "Plant Tissue Culture" (1.0 credit, 40 hours), an achievement test, a learning activity observation form, and a student opinion questionnaire. Quality validation was conducted by five experts for content validity, difficulty level, discrimination power, and reliability of the test using the KR-20 method. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (paired sample t-test for pre-post achievement comparison) at a significance level of .05.

The analysis of student opinions revealed that the overall mean opinion was at the strongly agree level, divided into five aspects: content, learning activities, media and learning resources, measurement and evaluation, and benefits received by learners, which received the highest mean score. The study of baseline data and development of the local curriculum for Plant Tissue Culture was successfully accomplished according to the objectives, resulting in a complete curriculum of 1 credit with a total of 40 learning hours, comprising all 10 curriculum components while effectively integrating IP-CAS concepts with project-based learning activities. Students' learning achievement after studying with the developed curriculum increased significantly, with post-learning mean scores exceeding the predetermined criterion and demonstrating clear improvement from pre-learning scores. Students demonstrated the ability to apply knowledge, analyze, and perform actual practices according to scientific processes.