The Implementation of the Project Citizen Method in Shaping Christian Character at State Vocational High School 1 Doloksanggul

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the Project Citizen method in shaping Christian character among students at State Vocational High School Negeri 1 Doloksanggul. The Project Citizen method is a project-based learning approach that encourages students’ active involvement in identifying, analyzing, and finding solutions to real-world problems in their community. In the context of Christian education, this method is integrated with Christian values to instill a character that reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ, such as compassion, responsibility, and honesty. This research employs a mixed-method approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods, to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the students’ character development. The study sample consisted of 60 grade XI students who actively participated in project-based learning throughout one semester. Data were collected using various techniques, including observations of student behavior, interviews with teachers and students, surveys to measure perceptions and attitude changes, and an analysis of the project documentation completed by the students. The findings indicate that the implementation of the Project Citizen method significantly contributed to the formation of Christian character in the students. The most notable improvement was observed in the aspect of social responsibility, with an increase of 43.7%, followed by responsibility at 38.2%, and honesty at 35.6%. These results suggest that real-world experiences in collectively solving social issues can raise awareness and attitudes aligned with Christian values. The integration of the Project Citizen method with Christian values not only provides students with an opportunity to develop intellectually but also morally and spiritually. The learning process, which emphasizes participation, reflection, and real action, makes students more sensitive to the needs of others, more responsible for their tasks, and more committed to upholding honesty in every action. Therefore, the findings of this study indicate that Project Citizen can be an effective strategy for character education, particularly in schools where the majority of students come from Christian backgrounds. This approach holds potential for broader application as a contextual and transformative model of character education.