Abdur Rasyid, Wahyu Hardyanto, Saiful Ridlo, Parmin Parmin
Background: Bael (Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa), a culturally and medicinally significant fruit in Asia, is increasingly unfamiliar to younger generations. This lack of ethnobotanical knowledge threatens its preservation. We propose an educational approach integrating science, technology, environment, and mathematics (STEM) with augmented reality (AR) to address younger generations' lack of ethnobotanical knowledge. Methods: This research employed a research and development (RnD) design involving ethnographic research and learning media development. Ethnographic research was conducted to assess respondents' ethnobotanical knowledge of bael, including general knowledge and misconceptions. The collected data informed the development of an AR-based learning media with a STEM approach using a 4D framework (defining, designing, developing, and disseminating). Results: The study revealed a low level of ethnobotanical knowledge among respondents, regardless of prior exposure to bael. A significant misconception was the confusion between bael and calabash. The developed AR-based learning media received positive feedback from validators and students. Large-scale trials demonstrated its effectiveness in significantly improving students' naturalistic intelligence scores. Conclusions: This research highlights the need to preserve ethnobotanical knowledge and offers an innovative solution through AR-based learning media with a STEM approach. The developed learning media can potentially enhance students' understanding of bael and other local plants, contributing to their naturalistic intelligence and promoting sustainable practices. Future iterations can be expanded to include more in-depth explanations of bael's uses and explore other local plant species. © 2024, Ilia State University, Institute of Botany, Department of Ethnobotany. All rights reserved.
Department of Science Education, Graduate School, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Central Java, Semarang City, Indonesia; Department of Biology Education, Universitas Majalengka, Majalengka, West Java, Indonesia; Department of Physic, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Central Java, Semarang City, Indonesia; Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia; Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Central Java, Semarang City, Indonesia
