Enhancing geophysical literacy awareness and student interest through hands-on instrumentation training for high school students in Sambas regency

Abstract

[Bahasa]: Kabupaten Sambas, Kalimantan Barat, memiliki potensi geologi dan hidrologi yang besar untuk dimanfaatkan sebagai sumber pembelajaran kontekstual dalam pendidikan geosains. Namun, literasi geosains siswa SMA di wilayah ini masih menghadapi tantangan, terutama akibat keterbatasan pembelajaran berbasis lapangan dan minimnya pengenalan instrumen ilmiah. Program pengabdian masyarakat ini dilaksanakan menggunakan pendekatan Participatory Action Research (PAR) yang mencakup tahap persiapan, pelaksanaan lapangan, dan evaluasi. Kegiatan dilakukan melalui perencanaan kolaboratif dengan sekolah mitra serta demonstrasi berbagai instrumen geofisika, antara lain metode resistivitas, flowmeter, dan Automatic Weather Station (AWS), disertai pengenalan identifikasi batuan menggunakan lup geologi dan komparator batuan. Evaluasi program dilakukan melalui kuesioner pascakegiatan yang mencakup skala Likert empat poin, pertanyaan nominal, dan respons terbuka untuk mengukur tingkat pengenalan awal, ketertarikan siswa, aktivitas yang paling berkesan, serta minat melanjutkan pembelajaran di bidang geofisika. Hasil evaluasi menunjukkan bahwa lebih dari 70% peserta menyatakan tingkat ketertarikan dan persepsi manfaat yang tinggi terhadap pembelajaran berbasis pengalaman, khususnya dalam memahami aplikasi geosains dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa demonstrasi instrumen dan pemanfaatan konteks geologi lokal dipersepsikan positif sebagai media pembelajaran geosains. Selain itu, kegiatan ini menegaskan potensi Kabupaten Sambas sebagai “laboratorium alam” yang strategis untuk mendukung penguatan pendidikan kebumian, terutama di wilayah dengan kerentanan lingkungan dan kebencanaan.

Kata Kunci: Geofisika, edukasi lapangan, Kabupaten Sambas

[English]: Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan, possesses substantial geological and hydrological potential that can be utilized as a contextual learning resource in geoscience education. However, geoscience literacy among high school students in this region remains limited, primarily due to restricted access to field-based learning and limited exposure to scientific equipment. This community service program was implemented using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, consisting of preparation, field implementation, and evaluation stages. The activities involved collaborative planning with partner schools and hands-on demonstrations of geophysical instruments, including electrical resistivity equipment, flow meters, and an Automatic Weather Station (AWS), as well as introductory rock identification using geological hand lenses and rock comparators. Program evaluation was conducted through a post-activity questionnaire comprising four-point Likert-scale items, nominal questions, and open-ended responses to assess students’ initial exposure, interest, most memorable activities, and motivation to engage further with geophysics learning. The results indicated that more than 70% of the participants reported high levels of interest and perceived benefits from the experiential learning activities, particularly in understanding the real-world applications of geoscience. These findings suggest that students positively perceive instrument-based demonstrations and the use of local geological contexts as effective learning media. Furthermore, this program highlights the potential of Sambas Regency as a “natural laboratory” for strengthening earth science education, especially in regions vulnerable to environmental and disaster-related challenges.

Keywords: Geophysics, field education, Sambas Regency