ITB Chemistry Collaboration with the West Java Regional Chemist Community and Chemistry Students Introducing Applicative Chemistry Practicum, Laboratory Safety at SMAN 3 Banjar
This is motivated by the possibility of a lack of synergy between the scientific concepts of chemistry that were received at high school and those that were later encountered at the university level, resulting in students viewing chemistry as difficult and inapplicable. So that with the aim of improving the quality of science between the university and high school parties, a number of academics, professional communities, and students collaborate by sharing expertise to develop chemistry learning. This collaboration was created in the form of community service activities at SMAN 3 Banjar, Banjar City, West Java. The parties involved were a team from the Chemistry Study Program FMIPA ITB together with the Chemistry Department of FST UNJANI (General Achmad Yani University), the Chemistry Study Program FMIPA UMMI (Muhammadiyah University of Sukabumi), West Java-Banten HKI (Indonesian Chemical Association West Java-Banten Branch), and HMK (Chemistry Student Association) "AMISCA" ITB.
This activity carries the theme "Application of Applicative Chemistry Modules and Safetylab in Improving Environmental Awareness and Learning for Senior High School Students in the Southern Region of West Java.” This activity, which was organized by lecturers and students, was held for two days, namely August 5-6 2023 offline And on line. This activity is a continuation of collaboration between the Department of Chemistry from various universities in the West Java region which are members of the West Java-Banten HKI. As with activities in previous years, this collaboration has penetrated into the southern region of West Java with a variety of different contributions in the form of practicum, counseling, and FGD.
Dr. Muhammad Yudhistira Azis, Lecturer in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry Scientific Group of the Chemistry Study Program FMIPA ITB as well as Chair of the West Java-Banten branch of the Indonesian Chemical Association and chief executive stated that this activity was the third year's activity with academics majoring in chemistry in the West Java-Banten area with a wider location in the southern region of West Java, such as Tasikmalaya Regency, Garut Regency and now in Banjar City. The involvement of academics who collaborate makes it possible to choose locations, and the material provided becomes more diverse, related to improving skills and improving the quality of learning chemistry for high school students in particular, as well as chemistry teachers in the area.
Activities at SMAN 3 Banjar include training in soap making, making simple water filters, introductions to chempreneurs, digital-based product marketing, impact counseling and pollution identification, and computational chemistry-based experiments. In addition, an FGD was also conducted between chemistry teachers in Banjar City to discuss misconceptions about the concept of chemistry learning between high school and university levels.
Principal of SMAN 3 Banjar, Dr. Endang Mulyadi welcomed this activity. He stated that students' basic science skills were closely related to everyday life. With an understanding of this, students will be able to make real contributions and be creative while learning. Students will also get insights that Chemistry is not something to be afraid of, so that the branding of Chemistry can be more attached and will be increasingly considered as an option in continuing studies at universities.
In an effort to increase the understanding and knowledge of teachers and high school students regarding chemistry learning materials, innovation is needed to support student understanding, one of which is through an applicable combination practicum. It is hoped that this will make it easier for students to understand the theory taught at school, as well as improve students' skills in the laboratory and understanding regarding the use of chemicals and their impact if misused on the environment.
Through applied experiments on water quality analysis in the environment, students can actively contribute in providing information on the quality of clean water in villages and schools. In addition, through experimenting with making products, it can increase students' interest in producing innovative work and fostering the character of a science entrepreneur. Another interesting thing that is also new material is the introduction of computing for high school students and teachers, through material that is implemented visually. With this activity, it is hoped that it can increase students' understanding in seeing the structure of chemical molecules which were previously only known through theory and could not be seen with the naked eye.
Knowledge of students and teachers at the upper secondary level in terms of safety The laboratory is also very important in order to protect students and teachers from chemical contamination. This is very good if it is taught from the high school level so that at the university or industrial level, they are used to and able to avoid hazards and accidents in the laboratory.
This activity was attended by 50 students and 20 science teachers at SMAN 3 Banjar. The response from the Banjar City Chemistry teachers who participated in this activity was very positive. The teachers welcomed this collaborative activity between universities and the community and hoped it would become a routine activity at SMAN 3 Banjar. The interaction between elements at universities and secondary schools is the first step in strengthening scientific and professional coordination and communication in chemistry education so that it is ready to meet the needs of human resources in the industrial and other professional worlds.
It is hoped that in the future, related agencies can also collaborate in this type of activity. With the interaction between lecturers, teachers, students, and students this will greatly help in synergizing and sharing knowledge. Apart from providing scientific branding of Chemistry, universities supporting this activity can also promote their study programs to related high school students. Hopefully Chemistry can be loved more and provide many benefits for the younger generation in the future. (MYA)
