Strengthening Sustainability Action of Youth Community, Best Practice of ESD Project Course in Biology
Rini Solihat (a), Yena Harmelayati (a), Riandi (a)

(a) Master Program of Biology Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Science Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Jl. Dr. Setiabudi No.229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia

Abstract

Sustainability action is a concrete effort to equip young people as agents of change in facing environmental and social challenges. The application of the concept of education for sustainable development (ESD) in the curriculum is often not optimized to facilitate concrete action in youth community participation. Based on the national youth development index, approximately 43.3% of young people are involved and actively participating. This study aims to identify and implement best practices of project based ESD through effective biology learning to strengthen sustainability actions among youth communities. The research method uses a mixed-method approach with a participatory design and project documentation analysis. The subjects from 10 schools as student council members and teachers who could apply the ESD approach in project based biology learning in several senior high schools. The results of the study show that the implementation of ESD in biology courses, applied in the form of youth community sustainability actions, can improve mastery of concepts and basic understanding of sustainability, critical awareness, active student involvement in community sustainability activities, the capacity of young people to take sustainable actions, and strengthen the formation of communities that are oriented towards the surrounding environment. It also produced posters that were disseminated to schools as tangible works and significant contributions that included students. This study recommends a project based ESD learning model as an effective pedagogical strategy in developing the capacity of youth communities to actively participate in sustainable development.

Keywords: Sustainability action, learning project, biology, education for sustainable development, youth community, active participation.

Topic: ESD in Science Education