Chapter 1

The Problem and Its Background

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate how a problem-solving approach can enhance the student’s

problem-solving skills in Mathematics. Hence, the results of this study will benefit the following:

STUDENTS – The data gathered will provide STEM 11 students with knowledge about the ways

of enhancing their Mathematical problem-solving skills. This will guide them to excel in

Mathematics.

TEACHERS – The results of this study will help teachers improve their teaching skills and

strategies towards students' problem-solving skills.

FUTURE RESEARCHERS – This study will serve as a basis for future researchers in exploring

ways to enhance students' problem-solving skills.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Figure 1
 Problem-Solving Approach and Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills of STEM 11 Students

This figure shows how the Problem-Solving Approach can help students enhance their

Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills. The researchers will work with a math major teacher who

will impose the technique for performing the experiment. After implementing the method with

the pupils, the teacher will give out quizzes to determine whether or not the strategy was

successful. Following the collection of scores, the researchers will collect data in order to

understand the results.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This study is conducted to determine the effectiveness of Problem- solving approach in

enhancing the problem-solving skills of STEM students at Theresian School of Cavite. This

study will take place in the Senior High School Department and focus only on the STEM strand

of Grade 11.

The

variables of

Problem-Solving Mathematical
this study will
Approach Problem-Solving
be limited to Skills
the problem-solving ability of students in mathematics and will exclude factors that can affect

the skill on problem solving such as patience, communication, team skills and cognitive skills.

Additionally, the problem-solving approach will be narrowed on its technical definition which

says that people use this as a technique or strategy to better understand problems they face and

develop optimal or ideal solutions. And this study will generally focus on the effectiveness of

using a problem solving approach on the enhancement of the students’ problem-solving skill.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Problem-Solving Approach - is a technique people use to better understand the problems they

face and to develop optimal solutions.

Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills - the ability used to solve various kinds of quantitative

problems, such as mathematical word problems, computational problems, and number-concept

problems.

Mathematics - is an area of knowledge that includes the topics of numbers, formulas, and

related structures, shapes and the spaces in which they are contained, and quantities and their

changes.

STEM - is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Through this strand, senior high school students are exposed to complex mathematical and

science theories and concepts which will serve as a foundation for their college courses.