Wonogiri, June 21, 2024 – The Physics Department of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) conducted a community service event at SMAN 1 Baturetno, Wonogiri, Central Java on June 20, 2024. This event aimed to introduce high school students to the field of physics and its applications, and was presented by lecturers from the Physics Department of UGM. It is hoped that after this event, high school students will develop an interest in natural sciences, especially physics, and be motivated to study it further.
The event was opened by the Principal of SMAN 1 Baturetno, Mr. Widodo, who expressed his gratitude for the presence of the UGM team. “We highly appreciate this collaboration with UGM Physics. Hopefully, this activity can provide new inspiration and insights to our students,” said Mr. Widodo.
The activities and materials presented at the event were as follows:
- Introduction to Universitas Gadjah Mada, the Physics Department, and the Physics Study Program, as well as the career prospects for graduates of the Physics Department, presented by Prof. Sholihun, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D.Sc.
- Simple, inexpensive, and enjoyable equipment to demonstrate resonance phenomena and determine the speed of sound in air, presented by Dr. Iman Santoso, S.Si., M.Sc.
- Applied Physics for high school students, presented by Dr. Bambang Murdaka Eka Jati, MS. This session explained the applications of physics in everyday life, such as in the construction of earthquake-resistant materials and the application of physics in the health sector, like X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI.
- Lasers and their applications, presented by Dr. Moh. Ali Joko Wasono, M.S. This material explained the use of lasers in the health field, such as disease detection based on breath analysis and the use of lasers for detecting fruit ripeness.
- The Principle of Sustainability as a Basis for the Laws of Physics, presented by Mr. Mirza Satriawan, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D. This material provided a different perspective in physics education.
- The final material was about renewable technology, specifically Grid Solar Power Plants, presented by Mr. Idham Syah Alam, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. He concluded the session with a discussion on new materials used in renewable energy technology, such as solar cells and batteries. He explained current research at UGM regarding the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly materials for the future of renewable energy.
In addition to the material presented by the lecturers from the Physics Department, interesting material was also delivered by students from the Physics Study Program, covering personal branding and the joys of being a student in the Physics Program.
One of the students, Ahmad, expressed his delight in participating in this activity. “I am very happy to participate in this activity. I now better understand how physics is applied in the technology we use daily. I am also more motivated to study physics more diligently,” said Ahmad.
The Head of the Community Service Team, Dr. Dwi Satya Palupi, S.Si., M.Si., stated that this activity is part of UGM’s commitment to community service to contribute to improving the quality of education in Indonesia, especially in the fields of science and technology. “We hope this activity can provide inspiration and motivation for students to continue learning and innovating. We are also committed to continuing similar activities in the future,” said Dr. Dwi Satya Palupi.
The community service activity concluded with the awarding of prizes to students who actively participated throughout the event. The teachers and students of SMAN 1 Baturetno expressed their hope that similar activities could be conducted again in the future.
With this community service activity, it is hoped that the students of SMAN 1 Baturetno can better understand and appreciate the importance of physics in everyday life and be motivated to pursue careers in science and technology.
The community service activity carried out by the Physics Department of UGM at SMAN 1 Baturetno, Wonogiri, supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In line with SDG 4’s goal of ensuring inclusive and quality education, this activity aims to enhance students’ understanding and interest in physics, provide new insights, and motivate them to delve deeper into science and technology. This activity also encourages students to innovate and understand the role of physics in the development of future technology, in accordance with SDG 9.
The material on new materials in renewable energy technology, such as solar cells and batteries, directly relates to SDG 7’s goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Furthermore, the collaboration between the university and the school in this community service activity reflects the spirit of partnership to achieve common goals in improving education quality and advancing knowledge, in line with SDG 17.
Thus, this community service activity not only benefits the students directly but also contributes to the achievement of several broader sustainable development goals.
Contributors: Dwi Satya Palupi, Ahmad Fathan
Photos: Ahmad Fathan