Enthusiastic Elementary Students in Ngambarsari Village Participate in IPB University KKNT Inovasi Team’s Binar Sari Program
To build character and increase school motivation among elementary school students, the Innovation Real-Thematic Work Lecture (KKNT) team from IPB University conducted the ‘Binar Sari’ (Bersinar Ngambarsari) program in Ngambarsari Village. The program took place at three local public elementary schools: SDN 1 Ngambarsari, SDN 2 Ngambarsari, and SDN 3 Ngambarsari.
Miksalmina Fitri, the program’s coordinator, explained that the initiative stemmed from concerns raised by parents about their children’s reluctance to study and their preference for playing on gadgets.
“Moreover, the transition rate from elementary to middle or high school is considered low by the village government. Factors contributing to this include the long distance to the nearest middle school, economic challenges, and a lack of motivation among the children to pursue further education,” she stated.
‘Binar Sari’ is a flagship program of the KKNT Inovasi team, focusing on boosting learning motivation and developing the character of elementary students in the village.
Fitri highlighted that Ngambarsari Village, located in Karangtengah Subdistrict, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java, has significant potential in the field of education but requires support and innovation to fully realize this potential.
“Seeing these conditions, the KKNT Inovasi team from IPB University decided to take direct action and contribute meaningfully through interactive and inspiring teaching activities,” she added.
The teaching activities began with the creation of a ‘My Dream Book’, where the children were given blank books to fill with drawings and writings about their dreams and aspirations. This activity aimed to ignite the children’s enthusiasm and motivation to achieve their goals.
“By visually expressing their dreams, we hope the children will be more motivated to study and work hard to achieve them,” Fitri explained.
Additionally, the team introduced the ‘Wall of Dream’, a large cardboard in each school decorated with the children’s drawings and writings about their learning styles and dreams. According to Fitri, this wall symbolizes the spirit and determination of the children in Ngambarsari Village to achieve a better future.
“Through this activity, the children were encouraged to dream big and share their dreams with their peers, fostering a supportive and motivating environment,” she said.
Another exciting activity was the ‘Lava Bubble’ science experiment, which involved simple, easily accessible materials like oil, water, and effervescent tablets. The children participated actively in the experiment, which aimed to spark their curiosity and interest in science.
The three-day program saw enthusiastic participation from the children, with strong support from teachers and the local community. Joko Erwanto, SPd, the principal of SD Negeri 2 Ngambarsari, expressed his appreciation for the initiative.
“We are very grateful to the KKNT Inovasi team from IPB University for dedicating their time and effort to share knowledge and inspiration with our children. This program has been very beneficial in boosting their motivation to learn and developing positive character traits,” he said.
Katarina Lintang Kemilau, another program coordinator, shared that the program was a valuable experience not only for the children but also for the KKNT Inovasi students in Ngambarsari Village.
“We learned a lot from the children here in Ngambarsari Village. Their enthusiasm and spirit were truly inspiring to us. We hope that through this program, we have made a lasting positive impact on education in this village,” she remarked.
Sumiyatin, a parent, added, “We hope that programs like this will continue to increase our children’s motivation. They really need the support and encouragement to keep learning and growing.”
As the teaching program concluded, the KKNT Inovasi team left a lasting impression on the children and the community in Ngambarsari Village. The children’s enthusiasm for learning and dreaming demonstrated that with the right support and motivation, Indonesia’s younger generation has immense potential to achieve a bright future. (IAAS/RUM)
