STEM-ESD Project on Plastic Waste to Improve Students’ Integrative Knowledge and Sustainability Action
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15294/jese.v6i2.62345Keywords:
Integrative knowledge, plastic waste, STEM-ESD, sustainability actionAbstract
Plastic waste is a difficult environmental problem to address, and school cafeterias, which often use single-use plastics, contribute to this problem. However, many schools have not yet implemented sustainable practices, and students are often limited to theoretical learning that rarely links scientific concepts to real-world environmental issues. Therefore, this study aims to examine the improvement in junior high school students’ integrative knowledge and sustainability actions through a STEM-ESD project on plastic waste. A non-equivalent pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used, involving 62 seventh-grade students from a junior high school in Cikarang, Indonesia. Data resulted that the experimental class achieved a moderate increase in integrative knowledge (N-Gain = 0.32), while the control class showed low improvement (N-Gain = 0.20). However, both groups showed a small increase in sustainability action (N-Gain = 0.00), with no significant difference between them. These findings suggest that while STEM-ESD projects effectively develop students’ ability to integrate scientific concepts with environmental issues, they are insufficient for driving significant behavioral change within a short timeframe. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on STEM-ESD implementation in Indonesian schools and highlights the need for sustained, long-term interventions to achieve meaningful sustainability outcomes.
References
Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Alonso-Paulí, E., Balart, P., Ezquerra, L., & Hernandez-Arenaz, I. (2025). Using Pledges to Improve the Effectiveness of Environmental Information Campaigns: The Case of Biowaste Recycling. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122(18), e2414578122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2414578122
Annisa, D. P., Kaniawati, I., & Eliyawati, E. (2024). STEM ESD-Based Learning with “Arduino Uno-Based Trash Can” to Improve Students’ Critical Thinking Skills and Sustainable Awareness in Learning Environmental Pollution. Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pembelajaran IPA, 10(1), 115. https://doi.org/10.30870/jppi.v10i1.24008
Aziza, F., Lisa, Karima, R. F., & Hayaty, S. (2024). Pembelajaran Terintegrasi di SMP: Menghubungkan Disiplin Ilmu Dan Membentuk Pemahaman Holistik. Interdisciplinary Explorations in Research Journal, 2(1), 18–25. https://doi.org/10.62976/ierj.v2i1.345
Bauer, M., & Morlock, G. E. (2025). Sustainable Schools: Changing Society towards Sustainability. Sustainable Development, 34(S1), 557–571. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70184
Bybee, R. W. (2013). The Case for STEM Education: Challenges and Opportunities. National Science Teachers Association.
Campbell, C., & Speldewinde, C. (2022). Early Childhood STEM Education for Sustainable Development. Sustainability, 14(6), 3524. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063524
Capili, B., & Anastasi, J. K. (2024). An Introduction to Types of Quasi-Experimental Designs. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 124(11), 50–52. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0001081740.74815.20
Cardoso, G. C., Novaes, A. L., & Sabonaro, D. Z. (2025). Educação Para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável: Integração De Competências Técnicas e Habilidades Comportamentais Nas Disciplinas CTEM: Português [Education for Sustainable Development: Integrating Technical Competencies and Behavioral Skills into STEM Subjects: Portuguese]. Revista Brasileira de Educação Ambiental (RevBEA), 20(6), 54–74. https://doi.org/10.34024/revbea.2025.v20.20258
Castillo, P. J. M., Cruz, R. L., & Martínez, D. S. (2024). Sustainability behaviors. An application of the VBN theory in engineering students. Región Científica, 3(1), 2024259. https://doi.org/10.58763/c2024259
Coletta, V. P. (2023). Evidence for a Normal Distribution of Normalized Gains. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 19(1), 010111. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.19.010111
Coutts, E., Yorke, A., & Mower, T. (2022). An Integrated Approach to STEM and Sustainability Education within the New Zealand Context. DS 117: Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education (E&PDE 2022), London South Bank University in London, UK. 8th - 9th September 2022. 24th International Conference on Engineering and Product Design Education. https://doi.org/10.35199/EPDE.2022.118
Darmawan, M. S., Daeni, F., Kurniawan, T. S., & Listiaji, P. (2022). Preparation and Characterization of Edible Straw Made from Dragon Fruit Peel to Solve The Problem of Plastic Waste. Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 2(2), 106–110. https://doi.org/10.15294/jese.v2i2.60717
Dey, A., Dhumal, C. V., Sengupta, P., Kumar, A., Pramanik, N. K., & Alam, T. (2021). Challenges and Possible Solutions to Mitigate the Problems of Single-Use Plastics Used for Packaging Food Items: A Review. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 58(9), 3251–3269. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-020-04885-6
English, L. D. (2016). STEM Education K-12: Perspectives on Integration. International Journal of STEM Education, 3(1), 3, s40594-016-0036–1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-016-0036-1
Fathurohman, I., Amri, M. F., Septiyanto, A., & Riandi. (2023). Integrating STEM Based Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to Promote Quality Education: A Systematic Literature Review. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, 9(11), 1052–1059. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i11.4430
Hačatrjana, L., & Namsone, D. (2024). Breaking Down the Concept of Students’ Thinking and Reasoning Skills for Implementation in the Classroom. Journal of Intelligence, 12(11), 109. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence12110109
Hadjichambis, A. Ch., & Paraskeva-Hadjichambi, D. (2020). Environmental Citizenship Questionnaire (ECQ): The Development and Validation of an Evaluation Instrument for Secondary School Students. Sustainability, 12(3), 821. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12030821
Hake, R. R. (1998). Interactive-Engagement versus Traditional Methods: A Six-Thousand-Student Survey of Mechanics Test Data for Introductory Physics Sourses. American Journal of Physics, 66(1), 64–74. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.18809
Heiges, J., Lee, D. L., Vollmer, L., Wobbekind, K., Thompson, H. R., Gosliner, W., Madsen, K. A., O’Neill, K., & Ritchie, L. D. (2022). Evaluating Food Packaging Waste in Schools: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5607. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095607
Hermawan, M., Heriyati, P., & Andrew, N. (2021). Exploring Program on Ocean Plastic Pollution Management: Case of NGO in Jakarta. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 729(1), 012122. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/729/1/012122
Hossain, M. I., Jamadar, Y., Islam, M. F., Rashed, Md., & Akter, T. (2025). Environmental Sustainability Practices in SMEs: Insights from Integrated PLS-SEM and fsQCA Approaches. Journal of Cleaner Production, 503, 145185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.145185
Indriani, Y., Tunggal Dewi, T. T., Bilqinaristi, C., Ainnurochimah, H. I., & Lukita Cahyani, T. R. (2025). Edukasi Kreatif Pengolahan Limbah Botol menjadi Pot Bunga sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Kesadaran Lingkungan di SDN Jari 2. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat (ABDIRA), 5(4), 164–171. https://doi.org/10.31004/abdira.v5i4.971
Ivasyk, V., & Voytovych, A. (2025). Development of Learning Motivation in Primary Education Students through Integrated Learning. Visnyk of Lviv University. Series Pedagogics, (42), 137–148. https://doi.org/10.30970/vpe.2025.42.13464
KLH-BPLH. (2025, June 22). KLH-BPLH Tegaskan Arah Baru Menuju Indonesia Bebas Sampah 2029 dalam Rakornas Pengelolaan Sampah 2025. Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup/Badan Pengendalian Lingkungan Hidup. https://www.kemenlh.go.id/news/detail/klh-bplh-tegaskan-arah-baru-menuju-indonesia-bebas-sampah-2029-dalam-rakornas-pengelolaan-sampah-2025
Lestari, M. F., Saihan, S., & Usriyah, L. (2025). SLR Study: Plastic Waste Recycling Innovation as a Science Learning Medium in Elementary Schools. JENIUS (Journal of Education Policy and Elementary Education Issues), 6(2), 135–144. https://doi.org/10.22515/jenius.v6i2.11287
Linarti, U., Jamilatun, S., & Nihanzah, A. S. P. (2025). Penguatan Pembelajaran Bidang STEM Melalui Pemanfaatan Limbah Plastik Menjadi Ecobrick di SMK Tengku Afzan Kuantan, Malaysia. Jurnal SOLMA, 14(2), 2472–2479. https://doi.org/10.22236/solma.v14i2.18662
Linder, N., Giusti, M., Samuelsson, K., & Barthel, S. (2022). Pro-environmental Habits: An Underexplored Research Agenda in Sustainability Science. Ambio, 51(3), 546–556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-021-01619-6
Littaqwa, L. A., Hadi, T., Rancak, G. T., & Safwanudin, S. (2025). Analisis Timbulan dan Komposisi Sampah Sekolah Dasar (SD) di Kota Mataram. Nata Palemahan: Journal of Environmental Engineering Innovations, 2(2), 56–63.
https://doi.org/10.38043/natapalemahan.v2i2.6628
Liu, Z., Pan, S., Zhang, X., & Bao, L. (2022). Assessment of Knowledge Integration in Student Learning of Simple Electric Circuits. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 18(2), 020102. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.18.020102
Maitlo, G., Ali, I., Maitlo, H. A., Ali, S., Unar, I. N., Ahmad, M. B., Bhutto, D. K., Karmani, R. K., Naich, S. U. R., Sajjad, R. U., Ali, S., & Afridi, M. N. (2022). Plastic Waste Recycling, Applications, and Future Prospects for a Sustainable Environment. Sustainability, 14(18), 11637. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811637
Muliakoswara, M. H., Kaniawati, I., & Suwarma, I. R. (2024). Implementation of STEM-ESD Learning in Improving Critical Thinking Skills in Renewable Energy Material. WaPFi (Wahana Pendidikan Fisika), 9(2), 121–130. https://doi.org/10.17509/wapfi.v9i2.66656
Mulyaningrum, V. D., Sajiman, S. U., & Hasbullah, H. (2025). Transforming Chemistry Learning through Deep Learning: An Evaluation with CIPP Model. Prima Magistra: Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidikan, 7(1), 116–124. https://doi.org/10.37478/jpm.v7i1.5855
Nagatomo, D. (2024). Research on Education for Sustainable Development with Design-Based Research by Employing Industry 4.0 Technologies for the Issue of Single-Use Plastic Waste in Taiwan. Sustainability, 16(22), 9832. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229832
Parejo, J.-L., Corton-Heras, M.-O., Nieto-Blanco, A., & Segovia-Barberan, C. (2021). Plastics as an Educational Resource for Sustainable Development: A Case Study in Ghana. Sustainability, 13(12), 6727. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126727
Pratiwi, H. D., Putri, R. E., & Yenira, F. (2025). Upaya Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Siswa melalui Penggunaan Model Pembelajaran Discovery Learning pada Mata Pelajaran IPA SMP. TSAQOFAH: Jurnal Penelitian Guru Indonesia, 5(3), 2853–2861. https://doi.org/10.58578/tsaqofah.v5i3.6020
Purwaningrum, P. (2016). Upaya Mengurangi Timbulan Sampah Plastik di Lingkungan. Indonesian Journal of Urban and Environmental Technolog, 8(2), 141–147. https://doi.org/10.25105/urbanenvirotech.v8i2.1421
Putra, M. N. A., Zahrani, N. A., Az Zahra, T., Hariyadi, A. G., Abiyyu, S. A. A., Justicio, M. N., & Firmansyah, P. (2024). Sampah Plastik sebagai Ancaman terhadap Lingkungan. Aktivisme: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, Politik Dan Sosial Indonesia, 2(1), 154–165. https://doi.org/10.62383/aktivisme.v2i1.725
Rahal, S., Alzubi, A., & Iyiola, K. (2026). How Sustainability Orientation Drives Pro-Environmental Behavior in Entrepreneurial Firms: The Roles of Social Support and Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Sustainability, 18(4), 2113. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18042113
Sass, W., Boeve-de Pauw, J., Olsson, D., Rieckmann, M., & Gericke, N. (2025). A Quality Education for Sustainability Teaching (QUEST) Framework: Advancing Action Competence in Sustainability Education. The Journal of Environmental Education, 56(6), 417–434. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2025.2542937
Shejeena, K. A., & Ismail, T. (2025). Connecting Ideas in Science Education: Enhancing Secondary Students’ Learning through Knowledge Integration. Journal on School Educational Technology, 21(2), 15. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.21.2.22383
UNESCO. (2017). Education for Sustainable Development Goals: Learning Objectives. UNESCO. https://doi.org/10.54675/CGBA9153
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
Weng, X., Cui, Z., Ng, O.-L., Jong, M. S. Y., & Chiu, T. K. F. (2022). Characterizing Students’ 4C Skills Development During Problem-based Digital Making. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 31(3), 372–385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-022-09961-4
Widodo, A. (2021). Pembelajaran Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam (Vol. 53). UPI Pres.
Ye, D., Qian, J., Xu, W., Lu, Y., Wang, S., Xiao, L., & Bao, L. (2024). Assessment of Knowledge Integration in Student Learning of Galvanic Cell: An Interdisciplinary Approach Connecting Physics and Chemistry. Physical Review Physics Education Research, 20(2), 020129. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.20.020129
Yulianto, A., Pramono, S. E., Wijaya, A. P., Lestari, S., & Putit, L. (2025). Examining the Effects of Task Complexity and Task Difficulty on Students’ Knowledge Retention: A Cognitive Load Theory Perspective. Jurnal Kependidikan : Jurnal Hasil Penelitian Dan Kajian Kepustakaan Di Bidang Pendidikan, Pengajaran, Dan Pembelajaran, 11(4), 1347–1358. https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v11i4.18326
Zadorozhna, O., Mordous, I., & Revin, F. (2024). STEM As an Integral Part the Science Education Curriculum. Актуальні Питання у Сучасній Науці, (8(26)). https://doi.org/10.52058/2786-6300-2024-8(26)-748-758
Zarkasyi, M. H., Abidin, Z., & Praherdhiono, H. (2024). Beban Kognitif Siswa Dalam Pembelajaran BerdasarkanKurikulum Merdeka Sekolah Dasar. Journal of Educational Technology Studies and Applied Research, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.70125/jetsar.v1i2y2024a18
Zebua, H. I. P., Telaumbanua, A., Harefa, E. B., & Telaumbanua, A. (2025). Pengaruh Model Discovery Learning terhadap Hasil Belajar Siswa pada Materi Sustainable Building. Arus Jurnal Sosial Dan Humaniora, 5(2), 2701–2707. https://doi.org/10.57250/ajsh.v5i2.1528
Zhang, J., & Cao, A. (2025). The Psychological Mechanisms of Education for Sustainable Development: Environmental Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, and Social Norms as Mediators of Pro-Environmental Behavior among University Students. Sustainability, 17(3), 933. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17030933
