The community service team from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM), Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) conducted an activity titled “Local Wisdom-Based Plant Growth Education to Improve the Science Literacy of Middle/Islamic Junior High School Students” on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Located at the Ecology Laboratory, FSM UNDIP, this activity aimed to facilitate more contextual biology learning by utilizing the potential of the surrounding environment. This was carried out in response to the lack of hands-on, experience-based science learning, which often causes students to struggle with fully understanding biological concepts.
The community service activity was chaired by Dr. Jumari, S.Si., M.Si., with team members including Prof. Dr. Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati, M.AppSc., Dr. Lilih Khotimperwati, S.Si., M.Si., and Aprilia Nurul Aini, S.Si., M.Si.. During its implementation, the team and university students assisted the school students in conducting direct observations of the sprouting process in several local plant materials, including mung beans, soybeans, peanuts, sweet potatoes, cassava, taro, and various rhizomes.
The activity lasted for 120 minutes with a structured flow that included a pre-test, an explanation of basic growth concepts, observation, measurement, and a discussion on local wisdom. Students used a Student Worksheet (LKS) to record and analyze the different sprouting patterns among the various types of plants observed. The use of these local materials was designed to train students’ science process skills while connecting them with the community’s local wisdom regarding the treatment of sprouting food ingredients.
Through this observational and contextual approach, the biological phenomena being studied become much closer to the students’ daily lives. This activity is expected to gradually improve students’ science literacy skills and encourage the use of local plants as an effective alternative source for natural science learning in the school environment.