Science Subjects Research Articles

Effectiveness of virtual reality media based on local wisdom: Indigenous Baduy Tribe, Kasepuhan Citorek and Kesepuhan Neglasari Banten Indonesia

The application of Virtual Reality media based on local wisdom in learning Natural and Social Sciences for grade IV elementary school students, with an emphasis on the culture of the Baduy Tribe, Kasepuhan Citorek, and Kesepuhan Neglasari in Banten, Indonesia. This study is to assess how virtual reality technology can improve students' understanding and interest in Natural and Social Sciences materials related to local wisdom and customs. The results of the study indicate that the virtual reality media applied is effective in significantly improving students' understanding. The average N-Gain value of 0.85 indicates the success of the media in achieving its goals. It can be concluded that the use of virtual reality not only deepens students' understanding of Natural and Social Sciences topics related to local wisdom, but also motivates them to be more active in the learning process.

MAPPING INDONESIA’S INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AS A SCIENCE LEARNING CONTEXT IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL: A NEW PARADIGM

The integration of indigenous science into learning, especially science learning for junior high school students, is very necessary. Indigenous science can be used as a context and source for learning science. Mapping Indonesian’s indigenous science is needed to facilitate educators in utilizing and integrating into learning. This study aimed to: (1) analyze and identify junior high school science subject matter and (2) conduct analysis and identification of ethnoscience that is feasible and suitable to be used as a context for junior high school science learning. This research was conducted through literature studies with primary data sources in the form of junior high school science curriculum documents and secondary data sources in the form of documents, internet, books, proceedings, reputable international journals, international journals, and national journals. The stages of the research carried out are: (1) analyzing and identifying material in junior high school science subjects; (2) selecting and sorting material that has the potential to contain ethnoscience content; (3) make details of the subject matter, and (4) present the analysis result. This study succeeded in identifying 7 (seven) indigenous sciences along with their context and content in junior high school science materials, including: (1) Karapan Sapi Tradition from Madura, East Java; (2) Local Potential of Pottery Handicraft Center; (3) Traditional Dance "Lilin" from West Sumatra; (4) Local potential of "salted eggs" from Brebes, Central Java; (5) "Kayon" Puppet Performance Instrument; (6) Natural Potential "Belik" and (7) Dayak Traditional Clothing: King Bibinge and King Baba. Keywords: Indigenous, Learning Process, Science Education Context.

Analyzing Student Online Learning Behaviors and Academic Performance in Science Education Using Machine Learning Techniques

This study investigates the factors influencing student engagement and performance in online science education through the application of machine learning models, specifically Random Forests, Decision Trees, and Support Vector Machines (SVM). With the rapid growth of online education, understanding students' adaptability and learning behaviors has become increasingly critical. A systematic analysis of features such as study duration, daily study habits, and demographic factors revealed significant insights into their impact on academic achievement in science subjects. The Random Forest model outperformed others in classification accuracy, achieving an accuracy of 81%. The findings emphasize the importance of tailored educational strategies that foster consistent study practices and address the unique needs of diverse learners, ultimately enhancing learning outcomes in online science education.

Influence of Language Skills on Biology Instructional Process in Secondary Schools in Kenya

Biology as a core science subject enables learners to conceptualize fundamental concepts such as genetics, evolution and cellular processes that underpin all living entities. Biological knowledge is also applied in addressing global challenges in fields such as medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. However, despite its significance, there has been a dismal performance in Biology in the country and Imenti-Central Sub-county for the last five years. Student performance in the subject not only depends on content mastery but also on language proficiency. Language serves as a primary medium for communicating the subject matter making good language skills essential for comprehension and expression of Biological content. However, minimal research has been conducted on the influence of language skills on Biology instructional process thus the need to undertake this study. The study investigated the influence of language skills on Biology instructional process in secondary schools in Imenti-Central Sub-county, Meru County, Kenya. A descriptive research design was adopted for data collection and analysis. The study sampled 352 participants from a population of 2950 participants using Yamane’s formula. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically while quantitative data was analyzed descriptively using percentages and frequencies and inferentially using Chi-square test with the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 computer software. Findings indicated that language skills had a significant influence on Biology instructional process. Students’ language skills were therefore essential for effective Biology instruction. Based on the findings, the study recommended establishment of language development activities to enhance students’ language skills and varied teaching methods to demystify complex Biological terms.

Development of Pop-up Book-Based Learning Media Utilizing Augmented Reality for Science Subjects

The role of teachers in education goes beyond simply delivering teaching materials. A teacher must create an exciting and interactive learning atmosphere that captivates students' attention and encourages active participation in learning. Teachers often face challenges in creating engaging and relevant learning materials while integrating the latest technology, which can impede the achievement of learning goals and reduce the effectiveness of the teaching-learning process. A significant issue is the lack of student motivation and involvement, evident from boredom and inattention despite using various learning resources. This study aims to address this issue by developing a Pop-Up Book-based learning media utilizing Augmented Reality (AR) for science subjects in Grade V Elementary School. The research was conducted at SDN Pandanwangi 3 and followed the ADDIE development model—Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The findings indicate that the AR-based Pop-Up Book is effective in enhancing the quality of learning. Implementing this media at SDN Pandanwangi 3 successfully motivated students, improved their understanding of the subject matter, and demonstrated high practicality according to questionnaires and learning outcomes. The final evaluation confirms that this media is valid, practical, and effective in meeting learning objectives. It is recommended that AR-based learning media, such as Pop-Up Books, be extended to other subjects and educational levels. Further research is suggested to explore the effectiveness of such media across different contexts and disciplines, ensuring broader applicability and impact in academic settings.

Development of Open Large Language Models for Artificial Intelligence Digital Textbooks

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being utilized in various fields, and research on generative AI, particularly within natural language processing (NLP) technology, is actively being conducted. Currently, research related to generative AI in the education sector utilizes closed large language models (LLMs) like GPT. However, these models have limitations, as they are difficult to fine-tune and incur high costs. This study aims to explore the potential educational applications of Open LLMs by fine-tuning and comparing the performance of Llama2 and Polyglot, which are built on a Korean-based model, with Llama3, which is not based on a Korean model. The experimental results, using a question-and-answer dataset from elementary school social studies and science subjects, showed that the Llama2 13B model exhibited the highest performance, followed by the Polyglot 12.8B model. The Llama3 8B model achieved approximately 93.08% of the performance of the Llama2 13B model and about 98.63% of the performance of the Polyglot 12.8B model. This indicates that even relatively small, non-Koreanbased models can demonstrate high performance. These results suggest that future development of LLMs base models may omit the process of converting them into language-specific base models. Additionally, fine-tuning Open LLMs for educational applications shows potential for providing personalized education.

Building a Border: The Material Transit of Scientific Labor

Abstract The U.S.-Mexico Boundary Commission (1849–1855) was a joint effort between the two countries to survey the new border, as designated by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) and later the Gadsden Purchase (1854). This article examines the scientific corps of the U.S. Boundary Commission and its dual role in manufacturing a national border and scientific personhood. While studies on exploration and empire generally examine the cartographic output of these state-sponsored missions, this article centers on the embodied practices of surveying. It considers how the technical procedures and practices of surveying produced spaces of scientific knowledge and scientific subjects. When U.S. surveyors traveled to the Indigenous territories of what was formerly northern Mexico in 1849, they began their fieldwork—observing, collecting, and recording the natural phenomena that surrounded them. I argue that as they moved through space, they contoured the nation—creating a field coherent to the state via their scientific work. Their fieldwork was a mobile technology of place-making. Assembling the astronomical and surveying equipment, positioning their bodies with the utmost care to record the motion of stars, igniting flashes of gunpowder to mark time, laboring for hours calculating spherical triangles, and uprooting trees that obstructed sight lines were all acts that constituted both the surveyor and the border. I draw on textbooks, memoirs, congressional reports, and commission records to demonstrate how engineers of the U.S. Boundary Commission crafted themselves as they built a border.

Two Decades of Project-Based Learning in Engineering Education: A 21-Year Meta-Analysis

The implementation of project-based learning (PjBL) has contributed to improving students’ learning outcomes. However, strong evidence specifically linking PjBL to the improvement of students' higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) is still limited, especially in engineering education. Hence, this study aims to uncover the impact of PjBL on students' HOTS through a meta-analysis. A total of 16 studies were sourced from ACM, Dimensions, IEEE, Science Direct, Scopus, and WOB metadata, with a search time ranging from 2003 to 2023. Data sourced from relevant literature were analyzed using a random-effects hedge model in JASP software. The results showed that the application of PjBL had a significant impact, rRE (0.315), or 31.5% on students' HOTS in the context of engineering education. Furthermore, there was no publication bias in the analysis of the studies. Meanwhile, the review of moderator variables showed that PjBL is most frequently implemented in Eastern cultures, particularly in computer science subjects, and the most common method for measuring skills is through test scores. Generally, the integration of PjBL into the learning process could effectively improve students’ HOTS.

Efektivitas Media Google Sites untuk Meningkatkan Pembelajaran IPAS Bagi Anak Tunarungu

This research is motivated by the problem found in phase C, namely a deaf student who has difficulties in learning science and science in the material where living things live. This study aims to prove whether the use of google sites learning media is effective in improving the learning of deaf students in science and science subjects in the material where living things live in SLB Negeri 1 Pariaman. This study uses a type of experimental research in the form of Single Subjeck Research (SSR) with an A-B-A design. The subjects in this study are phase C deaf students at SLB Negeri 1 Pariaman. The data collection techniques in this study are observation and tests. The data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative descriptive. The results of the study showed that in the baseline condition (A1) which was carried out three observations and obtained a stable percentage of 20%. In the intervention condition (B) which was carried out 5 times with a stable percentage of 100%. In baseline conditions (A2) which were carried out 3 times, a stable percentage of 100% was obtained. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that google sites media is effective in improving students' ability to understand science and science learning on the material where living things live for deaf students

The Influence of Family, School, and Community Environments on Students’ Academic Achievement in Science Learning

This research was conducted because the academic achievement of students in class V science subjects at SDN Umbulharjo District is still low. The aim of this research is to discuss the reasons why academic achievement can change, one of which can come from the family environment, school environment and home environment and how the learning environment influences the student's academic achievement. The method used in this research is ex post fact. The data collection method is carried out by documenting students' reported grades and using questionnaire items. The population is 214 students. The results of analysis using multiple linear regression show that there is a positive influence of the family, school and community environment on student academic achievement. Furthermore, the effective contribution (SE) test obtained a value of 80.5%, which means the influence of the learning environment on student academic achievement and another 19.5% was influenced by other factors not included in this research.

Can Mobile-Based Learning Media for Science Materials Influence Junior High School Students' Interest in Learning?

Mobile-based learning media is one of the tools that can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of teaching and learning activities. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of using mobile-based media on junior high school students' interest in learning science subjects. Data were collected through related journals to be reviewed. The method used in this research is the SLR (Systematic Literature Review) method. This research analyzes search results from the Google Scholar database, publish or perish and semantic scholar with a time span of the last 5 years, 2018-2023. Based on the search results, 40 relevant articles were obtained which were then filtered based on the inclusion criteria, 11 accredited national journal articles on SINTA 1 to SINTA 4 were used as primary studies. The results showed that the use of mobile-based media in science learning is very influential to arouse student interest and have an impact on student learning outcomes.

Development of Augmented Reality Based Flipbook Media on Natural Science Subject Matter of Ecosystems

This research aims to develop flipbook media based on augmented reality using ecosystem material. Research and Development (R&D) is the research method used, while ADDIE is a development model consisting of analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Tests and non-tests are used for data collecting, while qualitative and quantitative methods are employed for data processing. The study's participants comprised 22 fifth-grade pupils and an educator from SDN Sidomulyo 3. The outcomes demonstrated how extremely possible it is to use Flipbook media with augmented reality for education. Media, material, and language expert validation scored 90, 94, and 92%. The normality test results indicate that the data is normally distributed, with the Sig. The pretest value was 0.74 > 0.05, and the Sig. Postest value of 0.14 > 0.05. A paired sample t-test showing the impact of employing Augmented Reality-based Flipbook media in learning, with a Sig. (2-tailed) 0.00 < 0.05. The n-gain test shows 0.78 with a high category. In light of these findings, it may be said that augmented reality-based Flipbook media is feasible and effective for learning IPAS Ecosystem content in grade V elementary school.

The high energy X-ray probe (HEX-P): science overview

To answer NASA’s call for a sensitive X-ray observatory in the 2030s, we present the High Energy X-ray Probe (HEX-P) mission concept. HEX-P is designed to provide the required capabilities to explore current scientific questions and make new discoveries with a broadband X-ray observatory that simultaneously measures sources from 0.2 to 80 keV. HEX-P’s main scientific goals include: 1) understand the growth of supermassive black holes and how they drive galaxy evolution; 2) explore the lower mass populations of white dwarfs, neutron stars, and stellar-mass black holes in the nearby universe; 3) explain the physics of the mysterious corona, the luminous plasma close to the central engine of accreting compact objects that dominates cosmic X-ray emission; and 4) find the sources of the highest energy particles in the Galaxy. These goals motivate a sensitive, broadband X-ray observatory with imaging, spectroscopic, and timing capabilities, ensuring a versatile platform to serve a broad General Observer (GO) and Guest Investigator (GI) community. In this paper, we present an overview of these mission goals, which have been extensively discussed in a collection of more than a dozen papers that are part of this Research Topic volume. The proposed investigations will address key questions in all three science themes highlighted by Astro2020, including their associated priority areas. HEX-P will extend the capabilities of the most sensitive low- and high-energy X-ray satellites currently in orbit and will complement existing and planned high-energy, time-domain, and multi-messenger facilities in the next decade.

Social studies of finance as a new vector for sociological research of modern society

The article introduces readers to a new academic direction for Russian sociology – social studies of finance. This research field is actively producing new scientific concepts and topics, as well as the epistemic tools to study society. Sociologists play their part in this collective work. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate sociological perspectives of finance, to investigate how sociologists see the subject of their scientific search and its theoretical problems. It is noted that the formation of the academic field has been going on for more than 20 years, therefore, each decade was allocated to a separate research wave, for which an analytical review of key sociological scientific works of the European sociologists from the specialized issues of academic journals (Socio-Economic Review и Economic Sociology. European Electronic Newsletter, Finance and Society etc.) was conducted. This analysis helped identify a range of relevant research issues and theoretical problems, to trace their evolution. As a result, the author concludes that the study of the sociological problems of finance is a key to understand the structure of modern society, for it has transformative influence on society at all its levels – from state and organization to individual.

The Development of a Quiz Using Wordwall to Improve the Learning Motivation of Class IV Students of SDN 01 Padang Laweh on The Subject of IPAS

This research aims to develop a quiz using a wordwall to increase the learning motivation of class IV students at SDN 01 Padang Laweh in science subjects. This quiz aims to increase students' learning motivation. This type of research and development uses Research and Development (R&D). This quiz development model uses the ADDIE model (Analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation). From the ADDIE model, a needs analysis, student characteristics analysis, material analysis, then expert validator test, practicality of students and educators and effectiveness seen from student motivation sheets are carried out. The results of developing a quiz using a wordwall to increase the motivation of class IV students at SDN 01 Padang Laweh in the science and sciences subject were declared very valid. Based on the results obtained from the validator, an average score of 86.27% was obtained in the very valid category. Practicality results with an average of 92.85% are very practical. For effectiveness, by filling out the motivation questionnaire, an average score of 85.47% was categorized as very effective. It can be concluded that the quiz created is valid, practical and effective for educators to use

Collaborative Governance in Increasing Original Regional Income

This research, titled Collaborative Governance in Increasing Original Regional Income (A Bibliometric Approach to Research Development), aims to uncover research trends on collaborative governance through a bibliometric study approach. The primary objective is to identify scientific publications that contribute to studies on collaborative governance, particularly in the context of enhancing Regional Original Income (ROI). The researcher retrieved documents from the Scopus database, focusing on the subject of social sciences and using the VOSviewer application for data processing. The initial search resulted in 2,856 documents, which were filtered down to 48 articles related to collaborative governance in the field of Government Science. The bibliometric analysis highlights that the majority of collaborative governance research is conducted within the social sciences, emphasizing its importance in government functions and policy implementation, especially in efforts to increase regional income. A noticeable peak in research output occurred in 2022, with 231 articles published, indicating a growing interest in this field. This study also maps the geographical distribution of research, revealing that the United States, the UK, and China are the leading contributors, while Indonesia has not yet entered the top ten, presenting opportunities for further development in this area. Collaborative governance research often intersects with policy networks, which are crucial for addressing governance challenges in public administration. The study suggests that increasing collaborative governance research in Indonesia could significantly contribute to both the academic field of Government Science and practical policy-making.

Searching for the Causes of Chest-Falsetto Register Breaks under Anechoic Conditions

The origin of the breaks between chest and falsetto registers has remained one of the most controversial themes in voice science. The search for the causes of register breaks is reminiscent of a detective story. Classically, the breaks have been thought to be a consequence of a sudden change in laryngeal muscle activity causing a sudden change of vocal fold tension and frequency of oscillation. Experiments with excised human larynges showed, however, that sudden chest-falsetto breaks can spontaneously occur also when the vocal fold tension is changed smoothly (1). An alternative theoretical explanation of such phenomena emerged in the 1990s with the introduction of the theory of nonlinear dynamics to voice science. This theory showed that the phonatory system behaves like a nonlinear dynamic oscillator, where the chest and falsetto registers can be viewed as two possible ways of oscillation (attractors) that are inherent to the vocal apparatus (1). Voice breaks can then be recognized as “bifurcation events“ in which the oscillator suddenly changes the vibratory regime by shifting from one attractor to another. Whether the oscillation is in falsetto or chest register does not necessarily depend only on the laryngeal adjustment but also on other factors. Tiny changes in these factors (including, e.g., subglottal pressure, airflow, but also acoustic resonances in the breathing airways), can cause the oscillation to suddenly change from one register to another.

Private school pupils’ performance in GCSEs (and IGCSEs)

ABSTRACT Using rich longitudinal data from the UK’s Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), the authors compare the performance of private and state school pupils in age 16 national examinations (GCSEs) in England, where private schools are particularly well resourced by international standards. Performance among pupils attending private secondary schools is superior. However, this raw difference ignores the highly socially selective nature of the English private school system. Adjusting for socioeconomic background, the overall performance difference between the sectors disappears. The picture is also quite different when considering English, Maths, Science and Arts subjects separately. Implications are reviewed for debate surrounding the role of private schools and the emphasis of lower secondary state education on core subjects at the expense of Arts subjects.

Scientists as political advocates.

Science, both teaching and doing, is under attack. The recent US presidential election of a person and platform with anti-science bias exemplifies this. The study of climate processes and patterns and the role of human activities in these phenomena are at the heart of multiple global crises, and yet the scientific results, and the scientists presenting them, are attacked constantly. The dissemination of knowledge on health involving reproduction and human sexuality is increasingly marked for attack (in Russia, Uganda, and the USA), and researchers in these areas are often the target of extensive political pressure. The massive attack on the science and the scientists behind vaccines, pathogen transmission, and public health during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond is well documented, as are attacks on basic science education and the practice of science (for example, in Hungary and the USA). Even in the arena of biodiversity conservation, there is growing politicization of the data and political targeting of the scientists producing it. According to the US-based National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), climate change, reproduction, vaccines, and other evidence-based scientific topics are being deemed "controversial" by school boards and state officials and are being removed from state-approved teaching resources across the country. Core research on health, climate, human biology, and biodiversity is being undermined by private foundations, governments, and anti-science ideologues.

Pengaruh Penerapan Model Inquiry Learning Berbantuan Modul Terhadap Hasil Belajar Siswa pada Mata Pelajaran IPS Kelas VII SMPN 12 Padang

Based on the results of observations at SMPN 12 Padang, a problem was found that most of the grade VII students in the Social Sciences (IPS) subject still did not reach the limit of the Learning Goal Achievement Criteria (KKTP) that had been set. This is because the teaching and learning process is still centered on teachers (teacher centred) and the use of models that are not suitable for learning activities. This study proves that the application of the Inquiry Learning learning model supported by learning modules significantly improves student learning outcomes in social studies subjects in grade VII of SMPN 12 Padang. This study uses a quasi-experimental method with a pretest-posttest control group design. The research sample was taken by purposive sampling by dividing students into two groups: an experimental group taught using the Inquiry Learning model and a control group taught by conventional methods. The main data collection technique is through learning outcome tests given before and after treatment. Data analysis was carried out using a t-test to compare the average post-test scores of the two groups. The results of the analysis showed a significant difference between the two groups, where the experimental group obtained a higher average score. This indicates that the Inquiry Learning model is effective in improving students' conceptual understanding of social studies subjects.