EthnoSTEM-based Learning Tools: Connecting Cultural Heritage with STEM Education

Authors

Keywords:

Cultural, EthoSTEM-based learning tools, Scientific knowledge

Abstract

The integration of indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and traditional ecological knowledge with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education has gained recognition as EthnoSTEM. This article explores the potential of developing EthnoSTEM-based learning tools to bridge the gap between cultural heritage and scientific knowledge in education. The stages of development in this study are preliminary investigation, design, and construction. The technique for obtaining data using the instrument of device validation by experts. The result of this development study provides an understanding of EthnoSTEM by defining its core concepts and illustrating its value in education. The culture studied in this research is the ‘wedang uwuh’ drink and ‘Bir Plethok’ typical of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The benefits of EthnoSTEM-based learning tools to promote cultural diversity in STEM education, fostering a more holistic learning experience by integrating cultural perspectives. EthnoSTEM-based learning tools enhances student engagement and motivation, leading to improved learning outcomes. Bridging the gap between cultural and scientific knowledge, empower students to appreciate and respect diverse perspectives, while acquiring essential STEM skills for the future.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abonyi, O. S., Njoku, L. A. &, & Adibe, M. I. (2014). Innovations in science and technology education: a case for ethnoscience based science classrooms. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 5(1), 52–56. http://www.ijser.org

Agung, L. (2015). The development of local wisdom-based social science learning model with bengawan solo as the learning source. American International Journal of Social Science, 4(4), 51–58. www.aijssnet.com

Aikenhead, G. S. (2001). Students’ ease in crossing cultural borders into school science. Science Education, 85(2), 180–188. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-237X(200103)85:2<180::AID-SCE50>3.0.CO;2-1

Akker, J. Van Den, Bannan, B., Kelly, A. E., Nieveen, N., & Plomp, T. (2010). An introduction to educational design research.

Andayani, Y., & Anwar, Y. A. S. (2023). Analysis of the application of STEM with an ethnoscience approach by chemistry teachers in West Nusa Tenggara. Proceedings of the 1st Nusa Tenggara International Conference on Chemistry (NITRIC 2022), 174–184. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-130-2_18

Ardwiyanti, D., Prasetyo, Z. K., & Wilujeng, I. (2021). STEM research trends in indonesia: A systematic literature review. Journal of Science Education Research Journal, 2021(1), 38–45. www.journal.uny.ac.id/jser

Bakker, A. (2014). Bakker , A . ( 2004 ). Design research in statistics education : On symbolizing and computer tools . Utrecht , the Netherlands : CD Beta Press . Arthur Bakker - Design research in statistics education : On symbolizing and computer tools . Design research (Issue October).

Bank, W. (1998). Indigenous knowledge for development: a framework for action. Transcience, 5(2), 3–18. http://www.worldbank.org/afr/ik/ikrept.pdf%0Ahttp://www2.hu-berlin.de/transcience/Vol4_Issue2_2013_3_18.pdf

Battiste, M. (2005). Indigenous knowledge: foundations for first nations. Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium. http://www.nvit.ca/docs/indigenous knowledge foundations for first nations.pdf

Botha, L. R. (2012). Using expansive learning to include indigenous knowledge. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 16(1), 57–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603110903560093

Bramastia, B., Suciati, S., Nugraheni, F. S. A., Sari, M. W., Wati, I. K., Antrakusuma, B., & Masithoh, D. F. (2023). Effectiveness of ethnoSTEM-based science learning to improve junior high school students’ science literacy ability. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(SpecialIssue), 332–337. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9ispecialissue.5710

De Beer, J., & Whitlock, E. (2009). Indigenous knowledge in the life sciences classroom: Put on your de bono hats! American Biology Teacher, 71(4), 209–216. https://doi.org/10.1662/005.071.0407

Duit, R. (2007). Science education research internationally: Conceptions, research methods, domains of research. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 3(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.12973/ejmste/75369

Eglash, R., Bennett, A., Babbitt, W., Scholar, I., & Lachney, M. L. (2020). Decolonizing posthumanism : Indigenous material agency in generative STEM Decolonizing posthumanism : Indigenous material agency in generative STEM. July. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12963

Falah, C. M. N., Windyariani, S., & Suhendar, S. (2018). Peningkatan kemampuan berpikir kritis peserta didik melalui model pembelajaran search, solve, create, and share (Sscs) berbasis etnosains. Didaktika Biologi : Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi, 2(1), 25–32. http://jurnal.um-palembang.ac.id/index.php/dikbio

Fatmawati, B. (2011). Pembelajaran berbasi proyek untuk meningkatkan keterampilan berpikir kreatif mahasiswa. Jurnal Pengajaran IPA, 16(2), 6. https://doi.org/10.20527/jvk.v34i1.6336

Fibonacci, A., & Sudarmin, S. (2014). Development fun-chem learning materials integrated socio-science issues to increase students scientific literacy. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 3(11), 708–713.

Florida, R., Mellander, C., & King, K. (2015). Global Creativity Indeks 2015. In Toronto: Martin Prosperity Institute.

Garcia-Olp, M., Nelson, C., Hinzo, A., & Young, D. A. (2022). Indigenous epistemologies: implementing indigenous practices and perceptions to the area of STEM. 22, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3102/1584396

Gormally, C., Brickman, P., Hallar, B., & Armstrong, N. (2009). Effects of inquiry-based learning on students’ science literacy skills and confidence. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.20429/ijsotl.2009.030216

Ha, C. T., Thao, T. T. P., Trung, N. T., Huong, L. T. T., Dinh, N. Van, & Trung, T. (2020). A Bibliometric review of research on STEM education in ASEAN: science mapping the literature in scopus database, 2000 to 2019. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 16(10). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/8500

Hsu, Y.-S., & Yeh, Y.-F. (2019). Potential and challenges in integrating science and mathematics in the classroom through real-world problems: A case of implementing an interdisciplinary approach to STEM. In Asia-Pacific STEM Teaching Practices: From Theoretical Frameworks to Practices. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0768-7_10

Jamaluddin, J., Jufri, A. W., Ramdani, A., & Azizah, A. (2019). Profil literasi sains dan keterampilan berpikir kritis pendidik IPA SMP. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v5i1.185

Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2014). Cooperative learning in 21st century the tools for meeting four important chal- lenges of the 21st century. Anales de Psicología, 30(3), 841–851. http://dx.doi.org/10.6018/analesps.30.3.201241%5Cnhttp://revistas.um.es/analesps%5Cnhttp://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/ap/v30n3/aprendizaje8.pdf

Le, T. T. H., Tran, T., Trinh, T. P. T., Nguyen, C. T., Nguyen, T. P. T., Vuong, T. T., Vu, T. H., Bui, D. Q., Vuong, H. M., Hoang, P. H., Nguyen, M. H., Ho, M. T., & Vuong, Q. H. (2019). Reading habits, socioeconomic conditions, occupational aspiration and academic achievement in Vietnamese junior high school students. Sustainability (Switzerland), 11(18). https://doi.org/10.3390/su11185113

Listiyani, L. R. (2018). Implementasi model pembelajaran inkuiri berbasis refleksi kelompok pada materi reaksi redoks. Jipva, 2(1), 58–65. https://doi.org/10.31331/jipva.v2i1.576

Nessa, W., Hartono, Y., & Hiltrimartin, C. (2017). Pengembangan buku siswa materi jarak pada ruang dimensi tiga berbasis STEM problem based learning. Jurnal Elemen, 3(1)(1), 1–14.

Panasan, M., & Nuangchalerm, P. (2010). Learning outcomes of project-based and inquiry-based learning activities. Journal of Social Sciences, 6(2), 252–255. https://doi.org/10.3844/jssp.2010.252.255

Patmawati, K., Puspitasari, N., Mutmainah, S. N., & Prayitno, B. E. (2019). Profil kemampuan berfikir kreatif ditinjau dari kemampuan akademik mahasiswa. Edu Sains Jurnal Pendidikan Sains & Matematika, 7(2), 11–18. https://doi.org/10.23971/eds.v7i2.1386

Pertiwi, U. ., Atanti, R. ., & Ismawati, R. (2018). Pentingnya literasi sains pada pembelajaran IPA abad 21. IJSNE, 1(1), 24–29. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31002/nse.v1i1.173

Rahayu, W. E., & Sudarmin. (2015). Pengembangan modul IPA terpadu berbasis etnosains tema energi dalam kehidupan untuk menanamkan jiwa konservasi siswa. Unnes Science Education Journal, 4(2), 920–926. https://doi.org/10.15294/usej.v4i2.7943

Rinto, R., Iswari, R. S., Mindyarto, B. N., & Saptono, S. (2022). Project based learning using etno-stem approach: improving creative thinking skill of pharmacy students at medical vocational high school. International Conference on Science, Education and Technology, 197–201. https://proceeding.unnes.ac.id/index.php/iset

Rist, S., & Dahdouh-Guebas, F. (2006). Ethnosciences - A step towards the integration of scientific and indigenous forms of knowledge in the management of natural resources for the future. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 8(4), 467–493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-006-9050-7

Riyadi, A. S., Dharmono, Naparin, A., & Zaini, M. (2018). Kemampuan berpikir kreatif mahasiswa pendidikan biologi dalam penyelesaian masalah ekologi hewan. BIOEDUKASI: Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi, 11(1), 29–34.

Sari, U., Alici, M., & Sen, Ö. F. (2018). The effect of STEM instruction on attitude, career perception and career interest in a problem-based learning environment and student opinions. Electronic Journal of Science Education, 22(1), 1–21.

Shernoff, D. J., Sinha, S., Bressler, D. M., & Ginsburg, L. (2017). Assessing teacher education and professional development needs for the implementation of integrated approaches to STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 4(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-017-0068-1

Simpson, A., McCann, J., & Miroff, L. (2023). Learners’ perspectives on ARCH + STEM: integration of archaeology and indigenous knowledges with western knowledges of STEM. Education Sciences, 13(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13050450

Sudarmin, & Pujiastuti, S. E. (2015). Scientific knowledge based culture and local wisdom in karimunjawa for growing soft skills conservation. International Journal of Science and Research, 4(10), 598–604. https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SUB158567

Sujatmiko, A. (2021). A model of legal protection for traditional medicines (jamu) as arpt of traditional knowledge. Review of International Geographical Education Online, 11(4), 181–189. https://doi.org/10.33403/rigeo.800635

Sumarni, W., Faizah, Z., Subali, B., Wiyanto, W., & Ellianawati. (2020). The urgency of religious and cultural science in stem education: A meta data analysis. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 9(4), 1045–1054. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v9i4.20462

Sumarni, W., & Kadarwati, S. (2020). Ethno-stem project-based learning: Its impact to critical and creative thinking skills. Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia, 9(1), 11–21. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpii.v9i1.21754

Sumarni, W., Sudarmin, Wiyanto, & Supartono. (2016). The reconstruction of society indigenous science into scientific knowledge in the production process of palm sugar. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 13(4), 281–292. https://doi.org/10.12973/tused.10185a

Sund, R. B., & Troqbridge, L. W. (1973). Teaching science by inquiry in the secondary school (Secound Ed). Charles E. Merrill Publishing Company.

WHO. (2022). Global strategies and plans of action that are scheduled to expire within one year WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014-2023 Report by the Director-General. 2013(December 2022), 1–6. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/978924151536,

Wilder, R. (2000). A Tradition of Traditional Medicine. Pain Medicine, 12(7), 1005–1007. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4637.2011.01154.x

Wulandari, N., & Wulandari, N. (2016). Analisis kemampuan literasi sains pada aspek pengetahuan dan kompetensi sains siswa SMP pada materi kalor. Edusains, 8(1), 66–73. https://doi.org/10.15408/es.v8i1.1762

Wulandari, R. A., & Azrianingsih, R. (2014). Etnobotani jamu gendong berdasarkan persepsi produsen jamu gendong di desa Karangrejo, Kecamatan Kromengan, Kabupaten Malang. Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 2(4), 198–202. https://doi.org/10.3956/2009-30.1

Zidny, R., Solfarina, S., Aisyah, R. S. S., & Eilks, I. (2021). Exploring indigenous science to identify contents and contexts for science learning in order to promote education for sustainable development. Education Sciences, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11030114

Downloads

Published

2025-07-18

How to Cite

Listiyani, L. R., Wilujeng, I. ., Suyanto, S. ., & Pratama, D. H. (2025). EthnoSTEM-based Learning Tools: Connecting Cultural Heritage with STEM Education. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 17(4), 593–609. Retrieved from http://www.iejee.com/index.php/IEJEE/article/view/2428

Issue

Section

Articles