Barus District has long been known as an important trading port on the west coast of Sumatra and historically served as a gateway for the spice trade, including kapur barus (camphor). The ethnobotanical significance of kapur barus (Dryobalanops aromatica), a tree species native to Indonesia, has been recognized since ancient times by Arab and Chinese traders. However, the declining interest of younger generations in traditional plant-based knowledge threatens the preservation of this cultural heritage. Preliminary observations indicate that information regarding the ethnobotany of kapur barus in Barus District remains limited, and no specific study has been conducted in the area. This research aims to document ethnobotanical knowledge related to kapur barus among local communities in Barus District, Central Tapanuli Regency. The study employed a qualitative descriptive approach with field-based methods. Informants were selected purposively, consisting of eight community representatives. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews guided by a question list. The results reveal that kapur barus is utilized in various aspects of local life, including botany, ethnopharmacology, ethnoeconomics, ethnolinguistics, and ethnoecology. The species plays an important economic, medicinal, and cultural role for the people of Barus District. This study underscores the significance of preserving traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and highlights the potential for its sustainable development.

Twenty-first century education demands that educators possess innovative and creative skills in developing teaching materials that support the achievement of learning objectives. One type of teaching material that can be developed is a booklet. Booklets, as printed learning media, offer several advantages, such as accessibility without an internet connection and the ability to present colorful and visually engaging content. The development of a booklet can incorporate plant diversity materials based on local potential, such as the Moraceae family, which students frequently encounter in their daily lives. The development process includes product feasibility testing, one of which involves assessing its validity. This study aims to describe the validity of the developed booklet. The research employed the Research and Development (R&D) approach using the Plomp model, which consists of five stages. The validity test results showed a score of 91.40%, categorized as “very valid.” These findings indicate that the developed booklet is ready to be implemented as enrichment material for the biodiversity concept, as it meets twelve aspects of teaching material validity and has been revised to ensure high quality. The content of the booklet is designed to align with students’ competencies, curriculum requirements, and scientific principles.

Differentiated product learning provides students with opportunities to demonstrate their understanding through various forms of products, accommodating individual differences in interests, learning styles, and abilities. The implementation of the Project-Based Learning (PjBL) model was selected to enhance students’ active engagement in the learning process through real and relevant projects in biology. This study employed a quasi-experimental method using a posttest-only nonequivalent control group design. The results of data analysis revealed a positive and significant influence of differentiated product learning combined with the PjBL model on students’ learning outcomes. Students who participated in differentiated product learning integrated with the PjBL model achieved higher learning outcomes compared to those who experienced conventional learning. Therefore, it can be concluded that the application of differentiated product learning combined with the PjBL model is effective in improving the biology learning outcomes of Grade XI students.

The rhizosphere of plants contains diverse microbial communities, including fungi. This study aimed to identify the diversity of fungal colonies in the rhizosphere of plants and to describe the validation results, readability, and student responses toward the developed e-booklet as a learning medium. The e-booklet entitled “Diversity of Microbial (Fungal) Colonies in the Rhizosphere of Capsicum frutescens and Solanum melongena L.” was developed based on research conducted in North Landasan Ulin. The fungal colonies obtained were identified according to their morphological characteristics based on literature, and the findings were further developed into digital learning materials using the ADDIE development model. The validation test was conducted by three expert validators, while the readability and response tests were carried out by twelve students who had completed the Microbiology course in the Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin. The results revealed three microscopic fungal colonies in the Capsicum frutescens rhizosphere soil samples and seven colonies in the Solanum melongena L. samples. The material validation test obtained a score of 98.75% (very valid), and the media validation test obtained a score of 78.66% (valid), indicating that the developed e-booklet is suitable for instructional use. The readability test achieved a score of 89.46% (excellent), and the student response test achieved 90.17% (excellent), demonstrating that the e-booklet is effective and easy for students to understand.

Every child is born with inherent potential, and schools play a crucial role in optimizing this potential. This study aims to examine the influence of the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5) with a sustainable lifestyle theme on the dimension of mutual cooperation through the cultivation of Family Medicinal Plants (Tanaman Obat Keluarga or TOGA). The project was implemented once a week over a three-month period involving 33 seventh-grade students from class VII-D. The research employed a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test with the assistance of SPSS version 25. The observation instrument was adapted from the 2024 P5 Guideline Book published by the Ministry of Education and Culture (Kemendikbud). The results showed a significance value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), indicating that the P5 activity through TOGA cultivation significantly influenced students’ character development, particularly in fostering mutual cooperation and a sense of responsibility among peers. These findings suggest that this approach is effective and feasible as an alternative method to enhance students’ character education within the learning process.

This study aims to improve students’ learning motivation and achievement in the Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS) subject through the application of the Project-Based Learning (PjBL) method among Grade III students at SD Negeri Mranggen 02 Polokarto. The background of the study shows that IPAS learning is still predominantly teacher-centered and has not fully stimulated students’ curiosity. This research was conducted as Classroom Action Research (CAR) using the Kemmis and McTaggart spiral model over three cycles. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and tests. The findings indicate a consistent increase in students’ motivation and learning outcomes across cycles. The average learning motivation improved from 65.5 in the pre-cycle to 84.2 in cycle II, while the average learning outcomes increased from 67.7 to 87.3. The implementation of the PjBL method effectively enhanced students’ active participation, critical thinking skills, and conceptual understanding through experiential learning activities.

Education in the 21st century requires teachers to demonstrate creativity by developing innovative learning resources, particularly in biology education. One form of printed teaching material that can be developed is a booklet, which offers visual appeal through illustrations, colors, and concise text. A booklet highlighting the local potential of the butter plant (Diospyros blancoi) is expected to serve as enrichment material for students, especially related to the Sub-Plantae concept. This study aims to (1) describe the population structure of Diospyros blancoi in the Sungai Landas Village area and (2) evaluate the feasibility of a booklet titled “Getting to Know Butter Plants in the Sungai Landas Village Area as Enrichment Material for High School Biology.” The booklet development followed the Plomp model, which includes five phases: preliminary investigation, design, realization/construction, testing, evaluation and revision, and implementation. The evaluation phase applied Tessmer’s formative evaluation approach. Population structure data were obtained by categorizing plants into three age phases: pre-reproductive, reproductive, and post-reproductive. The results showed that the number of pre-reproductive individuals was 6, reproductive 18, and post-reproductive 11. The density of each phase was 1.25 ind/ha (pre-reproductive), 3.75 ind/ha (reproductive), and 2.29 ind/ha (post-reproductive). The population exhibited a disturbed pyramid structure, indicating a potential decline in adult individuals in the future. The validity test yielded a score of 83.85% (valid), while the content practicality test scored 96.61% (very good) and the expected practicality test scored 97% (very good). Based on these results, the developed booklet is categorized as valid and practical, making it suitable for use as an enrichment material in high school biology learning.

Learning the circulatory system in Grade XI high school often encounters challenges due to the lack of interactive media that align with the characteristics of 21st-century learners. Students require technology-based media to help them understand abstract biological concepts such as the circulatory system. This study aims to describe the validity and practicality of Google Sites–based learning media developed using the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model on circulatory system material. The research employed the 4D development model, involving two experts for validation and nine students for practicality testing. Data were collected using validity and practicality instruments. The results showed that the PBL-based Google Sites media achieved a validity score of 91.07% (“very valid”) and a practicality score of 86.44% (“very practical”). These findings indicate that the developed learning media is feasible for use in teaching the circulatory system to Grade XI high school students. This study provides an innovative solution to address the challenges of circulatory system learning through the integration of interactive and technology-oriented media suited to modern learning needs.

The gill-pattern woven fabric is a traditional textile originating from Pontianak City. However, the use of chemical dyes in the dyeing process has negative impacts on the environment. As a result, natural dyes have regained popularity due to their environmentally friendly properties. Natural dyes are generally derived from various plant parts, such as wood, bark, roots, root bark, seeds, seed coats, leaves, and flowers. This study employed a descriptive research design with an exploratory approach, aiming to collect data on the types of plants used in producing natural dyes for gill-pattern woven fabrics. Data were collected through interviews with traditional weaving artisans in Batulayang Village, Gang Sambas. The research also included the documentation and inventory of natural dye sources used in the past. The findings showed that the gill-pattern woven fabric has great potential as a local learning resource, with a feasibility percentage of 93.5%. Furthermore, eight plant species were identified as traditional sources of natural dyes historically used in the weaving process. These results highlight the cultural and educational value of gill-pattern weaving and the potential of natural dyes in supporting sustainable textile production.

This study was motivated by the essential ecological role of macroscopic fungi in maintaining forest ecosystem balance and the lack of biodiversity data in the Protected Forest of Langsa City. The aim of this research was to identify and describe the morphological characteristics of macroscopic fungi and to assess their species diversity as a basis for scientific information. An exploratory survey method was used with direct field observation; sampling was conducted by exploring the forest area, and fungal identification was based on morphological characteristics such as cap shape, color, surface texture, lamella structure, attachment of the fruiting body, and habitat. The results showed that 15 species of macroscopic fungi were found, including Pycnoporus sanguineus, Ganoderma applanatum, Microporus xanthopus, and others, which were found growing on various substrates such as dead wood, soil, and animal dung. The observed cap shapes ranged from semicircular, fan-shaped, and umbrella-like to irregular oval, with diverse colors and textures. These findings indicate a high potential for fungal biodiversity in the area. This research provides essential baseline data to support conservation efforts and can be utilized for further exploration in pharmaceutical, food, and environmental education fields sustainably.