Singaraja- Fostering mental health in learners, especially for children with special needs (ABK), is of paramount importance. This concern has caught the attention of Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) academics. One of their innovations is the introduction of STEM Series learning media.
This initiative was implemented through the Community Service Program (PKM) by three Undiksha academics: I Putu Pasek Suryawan, S.Pd., M.Pd., Dewa Gede Firstya Wirabrata, S.Psi., M.Psi., Psikolog., and Dr. Putu Nanci Riastini, M.Pd. The team was also assisted by students from the Mathematics and Elementary Education departments of Undiksha.
The PKM was carried out at SDN 2 Bengkala on Friday, August 30, 2024. The school, located in Kubutambahan District of Buleleng, focuses on the education of deaf and speech-impaired children. As part of the effort to optimize the learning process for these children, it is important to maintain their mental health.
The Leader of the Undiksha PKM Team, Pasek Suryawan, explained that based on their observation result, the main issues in addressing the mental health of deaf and speech-impaired students at SDN 2 Bengkala is their lack of social skills when interacting with other normal students. Additionally, teachers’ competencies in designing, creating, and utilizing media to enhance social skills are not yet fully optimized. This situation is compounded by the limited availability of meaningful learning sources that integrate learning mental health support. “Deaf and speech-impaired students need active and creative learning resources so they don’t feel isolated from their peers,” he explained.
During this community service, the Undiksha team introduced and emphasized the importance of mental health, alongside teaching the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Series and Lesson Study. They also conducted hands-on practice between teachers and students. Teachers, inclusive students, and normal students were invited to design, create learning media, also math teaching aids that integrate STEM, providing a platform to enhance social skills among inclusive students while improving teachers’ abilities to create active and creative learning materials. The team also created a “Kolok Corner,” a learning resource shelf placed in the inclusive classroom, and guided students in exploring the 9 learning media available in this corner.
The Principal of SDN 2 Bengkala, I Ketut Sulatra, S.Pd. expressed his appreciation to the Undiksha team for the positive impact of the program. He hopes that similar activities can continue in the future. Through this program, the Undiksha team also donated nine STEM Series learning media to the school.
