UNAIR Chemistry Conducts Plant Active Ingredient Screening Training for MGMP Chemistry of West Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan Province
Twenty-two high school Chemistry and Science teachers from Kotawaringin Barat (Kobar) Regency participated in the Training on Screening Active Plant Compounds at SMAN 1 Pangkalan Bun. This activity is part of the Community Service Program (PKM) conducted by a team from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga, in collaboration with the Chemistry MGMP (Subject Teacher Consultation) of Kotawaringin Barat Regency. The teachers came from 10 public and private high schools and vocational schools in Kobar Regency.
The selection of this training material was based on information that the Kobar region is rich in extraordinary biodiversity, especially in its plant wealth. Therefore, if high school teachers want to innovate in teaching chemistry to high school students in nature, they will have more resources after attending this training. The training on screening active plant compounds included both theory and practice on how to extract plant materials and test the obtained extracts using drop reagents to identify classes of active compounds.
The training began with an opening ceremony featuring speeches from the head of the Kobar MGMP, Siti Arodah, S.Pd., the PKM coordinator, Prof. Dr. Nanik Siti Aminah, M.Si., and the Head of the Chemistry Department, M. Zakki Fahmi, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., via a recorded video, and a speech and official opening by the Head of SMAN 1 Pangkalan Bun, Drs. Ridwan. Drs. Ridwan’s message to the training participants was to take full advantage of this training opportunity, as typically, to attend training, one has to travel to a place that is sometimes far away, but this time the trainers came to them. Therefore, it should be maximized. After the opening ceremony, a signing of a cooperation agreement between the Department of Chemistry, FST-UNAIR, and the Chemistry MGMP of Kotawaringin Barat Regency was conducted. This cooperation will serve as the basis for future activities.
The material was presented by Dr. Alfinda Novi Kristanti, DEA, with the title “Phytochemistry: Diversity of Secondary Metabolites and Bioactivity” followed by a discussion session until the lunch break. After the lunch break, the training continued with a laboratory practicum led by Rico Ramadhan, S.Si., M.P., Ph.D., assisted by three students: Andika Pramudya Wardana, S.Si., M.Si., Tio Kristiawan, and Ummi Zubaidah, S.Si.
The enthusiasm of the teachers was evident from their dedication to each session, maintaining high energy and engagement until the event’s conclusion. Despite the typical post-lunch drowsiness, the participants were highly energized, as the practicum material presented was new to them. An indicator of the participants’ seriousness in following the training can also be seen from the average pretest score of 43, which drastically increased to 86 after the post-test. The teachers were even willing to complete additional assignments given and communicate the results online. The participants expressed hope that the PKM Team from Universitas Airlangga would visit again in the future for more in-person sessions, as offline activities are more personal and conducive to learning.
The PKM Team from the Department of Chemistry at UNAIR extends their gratitude to Drs. Bahrudin, a Mathematics teacher at SMAN 1 Pangkalan Bun, for helping connect with MGMP Kobar and facilitating the team during their stay in Pangkalan Bun. It is hoped that this initial collaboration will be further developed, considering the vast potential of plants in the Kobar region for further research.
Reposted by admin from Unair News: Departemen Kimia UNAIR dan MGMP Kimia Kotawaringin Barat Gelar Pelatihan Skrining Bahan Aktif Tumbuhan – Universitas Airlangga Official Website
