The FMIPA lecturers from UNNES (Universitas Negeri Semarang) organized a science practicum training for Indonesian migrant children in Malaysia. The activity took place at Sanggar Sentul, Malaysia, on Thursday (6/7/2023). This is part of the community service (PkM) activities conducted by the university overseas. Sanggar Sentul is a non-formal school for Indonesian children who are the offspring of migrant workers in Malaysia. The lack or absence of documents poses a challenge for them to access formal education.
According to Dr. Novi Ratna Dewi, M.Pd., the head of the community service team, the purpose of this activity is to introduce and train children in conducting simple science experiments that they rarely encounter in their daily learning at the Sanggar.
“Science learning is done through play, considering the limited facilities and the need for more teachers there,” added Novi.
The activity started with an opening by Mr. Shoheh, the manager of Sanggar Sentul, followed by games, science experiments, and concluded with a communal meal. Prasetyo Listiaji, S.Pd., M.Sc., one of the team members of the community service, stated that they trained the children in three simple experiments, namely the Archimedes experiment (using eggs, water, and salt), building structures with straws, and making a lava lamp. The children were very enthusiastic.
The community service team consists of several lecturers from FMIPA UNNES, namely Novi Ratna Dewi, S.Si., M.Pd., Dr. Suharto Linuwih, M.Si., Dr. Sigit Priatmoko, M.Si., Prasetyo Listiaji, S.Pd., M.Sc., Andin Vita Amalia, S.Si., M.Sc., and Stephani Diah Pamelasari, M.Hum.
Sanggar Sentul is also a non-formal school under the management of the Indonesian School Kuala Lumpur (SIKL). Mr. Shoheh, the manager of Sanggar Sentul, stated that activities at the Sanggar have been taking place for several years, with approximately 50 children of various age groups studying at the Sanggar.
“The activities at the Sanggar are supported by the Education and Culture Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and we highly appreciate the presence of UNNES lecturers who come a long way to teach,” he said.
SIKL also provides opportunities for Indonesian students who want to participate in Community Service (KKN) or teaching practices in Malaysia, where they will be placed in Sanggar facilities throughout the Malaysian peninsula to teach children of Indonesian migrant workers.
