Strengthening Chemistry Teacher Competencies Through a STEM Based SSC Workshop

Semarang City, August 4, 2025 --- The UNNES Outreach Team and SMA Negeri 6 Semarang held a program titled Strengthening Chemistry Teachers' Competence through an SSC (Small Scale Chemistry)--based STEM Workshop and Its Application for Students. The program focused on building teachers' capacity while enriching students' lab experience through a small-scale chemistry approach that is resource-efficient, safe, and contextual.

The event began with a brief opening, the Indonesian National Anthem, and a prayer. Welcoming remarks from the school leadership and the program lead emphasized the importance of school--campus collaboration to deliver relevant science learning. The ceremony concluded with group photos and the signing of an Implementation Agreement (IA) to formalize the partnership. 

Signing of IA --- UNNES and SMA N 6 Semarang officially partnered to strengthen chemistry learning.

In the workshop session, Dr. Sigit Priatmoko, M.Si presented "Material Synthesis in line with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Small Scale Chemistry (SSC)." He highlighted integrating ESD and green chemistry into curriculum-aligned experiments, from designing low-waste/low-energy syntheses and selecting safer solvents to assessing environmental footprints, alongside examples of student worksheets (LKPD) and formative assessments that foster scientific creativity. 

Dr. Sigit Priatmoko, M.Si. explaining SSC concepts in alignment with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to participants.

Next, Dr. Harjono, S.Pd., M.Si discussed "Management Aspects in Implementing SSC-based STEM in Secondary School Chemistry." His talk covered goal and outcome planning, K3 (lab safety) SOPs, efficient tool--reagent management, micro-lab workflow and time-on-task, risk mitigation, practical waste handling, and differentiation strategies to keep all students engaged. 

Dr. Harjono, S.Pd., M.Si. presenting management strategies for implementing STEM based SSC.

The third session by Subhan, S.Pd., M.Kom., M.Pd. explored "Foundations of Computational Thinking" to support science learning. Decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithm design were applied to lab work: using digital tools/spreadsheets for data logging, simple modeling (color--pH calibration curves), visualization, and rapid feedback. 

Subhan, S.Pd., M.Kom., M.Pd. delivering his session on "Fundamentals of Computational Thinking" to workshop participants.

The program continued with SSC practicums designed to be small-scale, resource-saving, and safety-oriented. Experiment 1: Preparation and Calibration of Natural Indicators had students extract pigments from readily available plant sources (e.g., red cabbage, turmeric, butterfly pea), filter the solution, then calibrate the indicator with a series of safe acid--base solutions to build a color-versus-pH chart. Discussion addressed sensitivity range, color stability, and factors affecting accuracy (concentration, lighting, solvent). 

Experiment 1 -- Making & Calibrating Natural Indicators --- Students extract pigments, add drops of test solution to test tubes, and construct a color

Experiment 2: Small-Scale Acid--Base Titration using Natural Indicators practiced neutralization with a dropper/syringe as a "micro-buret" and low-concentration solutions. The natural indicator's color change signaled proximity to the equivalence point; students recorded drop volumes, estimated concentrations, compared group results, and reflected on error sources (drop size, observation delay, instrument cleanliness) for improvement. 

Experiment 2---Small-scale acid-base titration using a natural indicator; students add a drop of titrant and record the volume when the color changes.

Cross-role collaboration---lecturers and lab staff as mentors, teachers as co-facilitators, and students as documentation and assistant facilitators---ensured two-way transfer of knowledge and skills between material designers and classroom practitioners. The program strengthened teachers' understanding of SSC-based STEM lesson design, delivered more focused and engaging lab experiences for students, and produced a follow-up plan for classroom implementation through sustained school--campus partnership. 

Group Photo --UNNES Community Service Team, teachers, and students in the Chemistry Laboratory of SMA N 6 Semarang after the STEM-Based SSC practicum