Systems thinking approach to understand Indonesia's ocean acidification

Abstract

Establishing a proper connection between content and context is essential to infusing Systems Thinking (ST) into sustainable chemistry learning. Several efforts have been made to realize ST in chemistry in the context of coping with climate change through chemistry education. One potential model is connecting the interpretation of chemical reactions at the molecular level to local phenomena such as Indonesia's ocean acidification (IOA). As citizens of an archipelagic country, Indonesian students should understand the fundamental nature of particles that cause ocean acidification. In this work, we offer the perspective on scaffolding the ST competencies using the iterative cycle of Design-Based Research, particularly in the preparation and design stages. The developed ST sequences appear from identifying system components via history; relationship between component and natural world; identifying dynamic interaction and cyclic behavior; application and ownership in sustainability action. All stages above focused on carbonate and hydrogen carbonate ions as central particles in the ocean acidification context. To sum up, the current Indonesian curriculum need to apply the ST approach to equip students as climate-literate citizens of science with adequate knowledge and skills.