Initiating the Science Academy Program, FMIPA UI Academics Invite Elementary School Students to Learn Science in a Fun Way

The Community Service Team (Pengmas) of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI) consisting of one lecturer and ten students from the Department of Biology held a fun science education activity for students of Bojong Koneng 06 State Elementary School, Babakan Madang District, Bogor Regency, West Java, through the Sainskademi program on Monday (11/22/2021).

Carrying the title "Introduction to Science from an Early Age", Sainskademi is designed as a science application learning program with light but still fun methods such as fairy tales and simple science experiments.

The storytelling method is very popular with children and provides many benefits, such as activating intellect, sensitivity, emotions, art, fantasy and imagination.

The experimental method can demonstrate scientific processes directly, so that students can visualize the theories taught.

Dr. Retno Lestari, M.Si. as the team leader said that the activity was carried out to coincide with limited face-to-face learning at SDN Bojong Koneng 06 and was attended by 50 grade 1 students.

He further explained that the background to the idea of ​​Sainskademi was the team's concern about the low level of science literacy in students. He assessed that the current conventional learning method has an effect on decreasing students' interest in learning science applications.

"The conventional learning methods currently applied cause students to easily feel bored and fed up, as a result their interest in science is also low," he explained.

According to him, various innovations in science application learning media are currently needed to make science more interesting and fun for students. Because the right understanding of science can shape mindsets and train students' abilities in solving problems.

The students looked enthusiastic and excited during the activity. Some of them also said they would repeat the experiment at home.

This activity was also welcomed by Makdum as the Principal of Bojong Koneng 06 Elementary School. "Hopefully programs like this can continue to be implemented in our school," he said.

Furthermore, Makdum hopes that this program can increase students' interest in science so that they can become pioneers of science in the future. In its implementation, this program collaborates with the Pandu Cendekia Foundation (YPC) and Dongeng Ceria, and is supported by the Directorate of Community Service and Empowerment of the University of Indonesia (DPPM UI).

News source : https://sci.ui.ac.id/