Development and Validation of a STEM-Based Education with PCK Training Manual for Biology Teachers

Abstract

The study aimed to develop and validate a professional training manual integrating Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education teaching approach (PCK+STEM) to enhance the instructional competence of public school Biology teachers in Iligan City. Guided by the ADDIE model-Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate. The study employed a mixed-method research design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to systematically develop and comprehensively evaluate the training manual. The manual was conceptualized based on the identified needs of Biology educators and encompasses the topics of 1st quarter of Grade 9 Science following the essential domains of PCK and seven (7) stages of STEM Education by Sutaphan & Yuenyong, (2019). The validation process involved six PhD experts specializing in STEM and PCK education who evaluated the manual’s content, structure, and instructional coherence. Quantitative data were collected using a validated instrument across the domains of Analyze, Design, and Development, while qualitative feedback was gathered from open-ended expert comments to improve clarity, relevance, and usability. The evaluation results revealed that the training design manual achieved overall “Excellent” quality, with a grand mean of 3.53. These findings indicate that the training manual meets expert expectations in terms of pedagogical soundness, content validity, and practical applicability for teacher training. Moreover, the training manual serves as a validated resource for professional development programs in promoting Biology teachers’ integrated understanding of disciplinary knowledge, pedagogy, and STEM-based instruction. It is recommended to implement and assess the manual’s effectiveness in actual teacher training and classroom settings, focusing on its impact on teachers’ PCK enhancement and students’ engagement and achievement in Biology.