UNS — The Chemical Analytic, Environment, and Chemistry Learning Research Group that consists of several faculty members in Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta provided training for Natural Science (IPA) teachers at the Junior High School (SMP) in Karanganyar on Saturday (14/8/2021). The faculty members who participated in this event were Prof. Sulistyo Saputro, M.Si., Ph.D., Lina Mahardiani, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., Dr. Endang Susilowati, M.Si., Nanik Dwi Nurhayati, S.Si., M.Si., Dr. Budi Hastuti, M.Si., and Dr. Sunu Herwi Pramolo, M.Sc. They come from different faculties such as the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science (MIPA), and Faculty of Engineering (FT).
Twenty IPA teachers at SMP as members of Teachers and Course Discussion Board (MGMP) IPA SMP joined the training in two sessions. The first session was a briefing, and the second session was on the training to prepare enrichment materials in the integrated IPA course, assignment, and questions-and-answers. Both sessions were conducted offline under the strictest health protocols.
“IPA course at the SMP is currently considered as less representative. Therefore, innovation from teachers during teaching, teaching media, and assessment instrument are needed,” Prof. Sulistyo, as the Chief of Research Group, explained.
The training as a form of community service program from the Research Group was held to achieve quality education by improving the quality of IPA teachers at the SMP level in the Karanganyar District. This program is in line with the UNS commitment mentioned by the Institute of Research and Community Service (LPPM) that UNS facilitates faculty members to implement Higher Education Tridharma through education, research, and community services.
“Training for teachers needs to be conducted periodically to refresh and deepen their information on learning practices,” Prof. Sulistyo added.
Training for teaching staff is also considered to help the educational sector in facing the difficult situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the end of the event, Prof. Sulistyo and the team shared their knowledge through an assignment for the teachers to prepare learning materials based on STEAM that refers to transformative learning using students’ initial knowledge. Humas UNS
Reporter: Alinda Hardiantoro
Editor: Dwi Hastuti