A team from the Student Creativity Program in Social Humanities Research (PKM-RSH) AMLI 2025 of Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) has introduced an educational innovation through the development of a technology-based learning media that integrates local wisdom, called COMA. COMA is an innovative problem-based e-comic that incorporates Semarang’s traditional culinary heritage to enhance students’ mathematical problem-solving skills.
This learning media is specifically designed for junior high school students and has been implemented at SMP Negeri 9 Semarang. In this initiative, students are guided to solve mathematical problems embedded within interactive comic stories that feature Semarang’s local delicacies such as lumpia rebung, soto bangkong, wingko babat, babat gongso, and tahu petis. The use of these contextual elements makes mathematics learning more engaging, relatable, and grounded in students’ daily experiences. Furthermore, the activity involved mathematics teachers from the school to ensure the feasibility, validity, and pedagogical effectiveness of the developed media.
The underlying issue addressed by this project is the low level of mathematical problem-solving skills among Indonesian students. Educational surveys indicate that many students struggle to comprehend high-level mathematical concepts and non-routine problems, especially in topics related to social arithmetic. This difficulty often stems from a lack of engaging learning media and repetitive, routine-based exercises that fail to promote critical thinking.
As a solution, a team of students from the Mathematics Education Study Program at UNNES, led by Hayu Dhiya Rahmadani, with members Aulia Faiqoh, Khansa’ Hanun Nabilah, and Riska Marselina, under the supervision of Mr. Adi Satrio Ardiansyah, S.Pd., M.Pd., developed COMA (Contextual Math E-Comic Application)—a problem-based digital comic integrating Semarang’s culinary culture. This media allows students to explore mathematical concepts and solve real-world problems interactively and enjoyably through digital storytelling.
The impact of this initiative was evident after a trial implementation at SMP Negeri 9 Semarang. Based on observation and assessment results, COMA was found to be feasible, effective, and well-received by students. Students reported that the e-comic made it easier for them to understand previously difficult mathematical concepts, while teachers observed a significant increase in student engagement and motivation. One of the mathematics teachers even expressed interest in adopting COMA for continuous classroom use.
In the long term, this innovation is expected to serve as a sustainable digital learning solution for teachers and schools, particularly in enhancing the quality of mathematics education in the digital era. COMA exemplifies the synergy between technology, local culture, and pedagogy, reinforcing UNNES’s commitment to promoting innovative and contextually relevant education aligned with global educational goals.
This innovation contributes primarily to the following SDGs:
- SDG 4 – Quality Education:
COMA enhances the quality and inclusivity of education by integrating digital technology, problem-based learning, and cultural context to improve students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. - SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (secondary link):
The use of technology-driven learning platforms supports innovation in education through digital transformation and creative learning design. - SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities (supporting link):
By embedding local wisdom and cultural heritage into education, COMA fosters the preservation of Semarang’s culinary identity and promotes sustainable local knowledge within modern educational systems.
