Semarang – Following a previous session on financial literacy, the Student Organization Capacity-Building Programme team of SGL PGSD Universitas Negeri Semarang once again presented an engaging learning activity as part of the Pojok Literasi Tunas Ngrembaka programme.
On Friday, 17 July 2026, the team conducted the fourth Pojok Literasi Tunas Ngrembaka meeting at Madrasah Diniyah RW 6, Podorejo Village. The location represents Target Area II, a residential community included in the NGREMBAKA AKSARA programme.
Attended by 30 primary school-aged children, the session focused on Science Literacy: Water Purification, combining basic scientific knowledge with direct, hands-on experimentation.
The selection of water purification as the main topic was intended to broaden the forms of literacy introduced to children in Podorejo Village. In addition to language and financial literacy, the programme also seeks to strengthen science literacy by providing children with basic knowledge of environmental issues and water resources.
The activity contributed directly to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, as participants learned about the importance of clean water and simple methods of improving water quality. It also supported SDG 4: Quality Education through an experimental learning approach that encouraged children to develop scientific thinking from an early age.
Understanding Clean and Contaminated Water through Educational Posters
The activity began with participant registration, followed by an introductory session facilitated by the programme team. During this session, the children studied educational posters containing information about the role of water in everyday life, the definitions of clean and contaminated water, and the characteristics that distinguish the two.
Visual learning materials were used to make abstract concepts related to water quality easier for children to understand. Through simple illustrations and concrete examples, participants were able to recognise the basic indicators of clean and polluted water according to their level of cognitive development.
The facilitators also introduced the materials that would later be used in the water purification experiment. This initial explanation gave participants an overview of the filtration process before they began the practical session. The approach was designed to stimulate curiosity and prepare the children to participate actively in the scientific experiment.
Learning Science through a Water Purification Experiment
During the main session, participants were divided into small groups. Each group was accompanied by members of the programme team and student organisation representatives who served as facilitators.
The children carried out a simple water purification experiment using a filtration system made from several carefully arranged materials. These materials included gravel, fine sand, coarse sand, cotton placed at the bottom and top of the filter, and charcoal. Muddy water was then used to test the filtration process.
Through the arrangement of these filtering layers, participants were able to observe how muddy water gradually became clearer as it passed through each material. The experiment provided a more meaningful learning experience than theoretical explanation alone because the children could directly observe changes in the appearance and quality of the water.
Throughout the experiment, the facilitators closely assisted each group. They explained the function of every filtration layer and ensured that all participants were actively involved in each stage of the activity.
In addition to developing basic scientific skills, the experiment introduced children to the importance of protecting water quality as a vital resource for daily life. This awareness is particularly relevant to the environmental conditions surrounding residential communities in Podorejo Village.
Group Assistance and Student Worksheet Activities
After completing the experiment, participants worked on student worksheets as a means of assessing their understanding of the lesson.
Through the worksheets, the children were encouraged to review the filtration process, identify the correct arrangement of filtering materials, describe the changes they observed in the water, and explain why clean water is important for human life.
The programme team and student organisation facilitators provided intensive assistance to each group. This ensured that every child received equal learning opportunities and appropriate guidance according to their individual abilities.
Ice-Breaking and Reflection Session
To maintain participants’ enthusiasm until the end of the programme, the facilitators organised an ice-breaking session after the worksheet activity. The session provided an enjoyable break after the children had concentrated on the scientific material and experiment.
The programme concluded with a group reflection. Participants were invited to review what they had learned, beginning with the differences between clean and contaminated water and continuing with the steps involved in the simple water purification experiment.
Through this reflection, the children were encouraged to connect the concepts introduced during the session with their experiences and daily use of water.
Madrasah Diniyah RW 6 as an Inclusive Community Learning Space
The use of Madrasah Diniyah RW 6 as the activity venue demonstrated how existing community and religious facilities can be optimised as additional learning spaces for children.
This initiative was aligned with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, particularly in supporting inclusive and accessible community-based learning environments.
The successful implementation of the activity was also supported by the administrators of Madrasah Diniyah and the residents of RW 6. Their involvement reflected the principles of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through close collaboration among university students, Universitas Negeri Semarang, local institutions, and community members.
Developing Scientific and Environmental Awareness from an Early Age
The fourth meeting of Pojok Literasi Tunas Ngrembaka, focusing on science literacy and water purification, was successfully conducted with strong enthusiasm from the participants.
The children not only gained new knowledge about clean and contaminated water but also received practical scientific learning experience through a simple water filtration experiment. This experiment-based approach helped stimulate curiosity, scientific reasoning, teamwork, and environmental awareness from an early age.
Through a series of activities covering multilingual learning, financial literacy, and science literacy, Pojok Literasi Tunas Ngrembaka continues to strengthen its role as a comprehensive and multidisciplinary non-formal learning ecosystem.
The programme demonstrates how creative educational activities can provide meaningful learning opportunities for children while promoting awareness of clean water, environmental sustainability, and community collaboration.
