niversitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) has launched an international research project aimed at strengthening elementary school students’ numeracy skills through the integration of technology. The initiative was introduced through a STEMTrails workshop titled “Code, Count, Connect: Enhancing Inclusive Numeracy through AI and Coding Integrated STEM Trails in Indonesia,” supported by KONEKSI (Australia-Indonesia Knowledge Partnership Platform).
Held at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) UNNES on Saturday (May 16), the workshop marked the beginning of a collaborative effort among academics, education practitioners, and partner schools to develop STEM-based learning approaches integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
The workshop brought together research partners from Universitas Mulawarman, Universitas Pattimura, the Indonesian Numeracy Movement Committee (KPNI), and the Indonesian Mathematics Educators Society (I-MES).
The STEMTrails project is conducted by a consortium consisting of UNNES, Australian Catholic University (ACU), Universitas Mulawarman, Universitas Pattimura, I-MES, and KPNI. This collaboration reflects a growing educational partnership between Indonesia and Australia in promoting inclusive, technology-driven learning.
Chair of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) UNNES, Prof. Dr. R. Benny Riyanto, S.H., M.Hum., C.N., officially opened the workshop and emphasized the importance of innovative research that creates direct benefits for society.
Meanwhile, Dean of FMIPA UNNES, Prof. Dr. Edy Cahyono, M.Si., expressed his support for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and coding into elementary school education.
Lead researcher Dr. rer. nat. Adi Nur Cahyono explained that the research implementation will take place in three regions: Semarang, Samarinda, and Ambon. Each region will involve 100 elementary school students in the study.
“We will implement the research in three regions: Semarang, Samarinda, and Ambon. In each area, 100 elementary school students will participate in the research process. Through an inclusive approach, we integrate AI and coding to make mathematics more engaging and connected to students’ surrounding environments,” said Dr. Adi Nur Cahyono.
For the Semarang implementation, teachers from SDN Sekaran 2 and SD Islam Bintang Juara also participated in the workshop as preparation for the program’s application in schools.
Through the STEMTrails project, the research team hopes the study will contribute to improving elementary students’ numeracy skills in an inclusive manner. The project is also expected to generate recommendations for future educational policy development.
The program involves various stakeholders at both national and regional levels, including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, and SEAMEO QITEP in Mathematics. Their involvement is expected to strengthen the implementation of the program and support the broader development of innovative learning models.
Head of the Teacher and Education Personnel Division at the Semarang City Education Office, Dr. Miftahudin, stated that STEMTrails has the potential to become one of Semarang’s future educational programs, similar to MathCityMap, which was previously developed through collaboration between Frankfurt University, UNNES, and the Semarang City Mathematics Teachers Association (MGMP) and has since become a regular program of the Semarang City Education Office.
The initiative also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 10 on Reduced Inequalities.
Through STEMTrails, the research team expects the project to strengthen inclusive numeracy education for elementary school students while producing valuable recommendations for the future development of educational policies.
