USK Physics Master’s Program Collaborates with Aceh Education Office: Holds Program Dissemination Event on Integrated STEM Project-Based Learning

Banda Aceh, July 5, 2025 – The Master’s Program in Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Syiah Kuala University (USK), in collaboration with the Aceh Education Department, organized a program dissemination event themed “Integrated Project-Based Learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).” The event was held in a hybrid format at SMAN 3 Banda Aceh and online via Zoom, with a total of 155 participants, including 30 in-person attendees and 125 online participants from various regions across Aceh Province.

This dissemination event is part of a joint initiative between USK and the Aceh Education Department to support the enhancement of physics teachers’ capabilities through innovative and applied learning approaches.

The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Muksin, S.Si., M.Si., M.Phil, Head of the Master’s Program in Physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) USK, who emphasized the importance of project-based learning (PBL) in the context of modern science education. “This activity is our effort to strengthen the connection between higher education and secondary schools. Through the STEM approach and Project-Based Learning, we aim to support teachers in fostering students who are critical, creative, and globally competitive,” explained Prof. Muksin.

Marthunis, S.T., D.E.A., Head of the Aceh Education Department, delivered the official opening remarks. He stressed that improving teacher quality must begin with cross-institutional collaboration in education. “We welcome and strongly support this synergy. The Aceh Education Office is ready to continue collaborating with universities like USK to drive educational transformation in Aceh,” said Marthunis.

During the session, Syarwan Joni, S.Pd., M.Pd., presented policies for developing high-quality and adaptive teacher human resources to address 21st-century challenges.

The next session was led by Irwandi, Ph.D., who discussed the urgency of implementing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Character) in science education, followed by a demonstration of STEM-based learning media and testimonials from USK Physics Master’s alums who have actively contributed to STEM-based education development in Aceh.

The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session and a group photo with all participants. The enthusiasm of participants from various districts and cities in Aceh indicates that the STEM approach and Project-Based Learning are increasingly relevant and necessary in today’s educational landscape.

With the successful conduct of this event, the USK Physics Master’s Program, in collaboration with the Aceh Education Department, aims to encourage more teachers and educational institutions to adopt innovative teaching approaches, thereby strengthening the quality of educational human resources in Aceh in a sustainable manner.