<![CDATA[Curiosity is an intrinsic drive that encourages individuals to acquire information and actively engage in the learning process. However, low levels of curiosity among students remain a persistent issue, characterized by limited initiative in asking questions and low participation in learning activities. This study aims to develop and examine the validity of a staple food civilization textbook based on Project Based Learning (PjBL) to foster students’ curiosity. The research employed a Research and Development (R&D) method using the ADDIE model and a quasi-experimental design. The research subjects consisted of ten certified teachers as needs analysis respondents, ten experts as feasibility evaluators, and fifth-grade students at a public elementary school in Yogyakarta, with class V A as the experimental group and class V B as the control group. The results showed that the developed textbook achieved a “very good” quality category with an average score of 3.81 on a 1–4 scale. The implementation of the textbook had a significant effect on students’ curiosity (p < 0.05) with an effect size of r = 0.81. The N-gain score of the experimental group was categorized as high (80.79), while that of the control group was categorized as low (14.70). Interrater reliability was classified as high (α = 0.756). Therefore, the developed Project Based Learning–based textbook is proven to be feasible, effective, and reliable as a learning medium and as a means to strengthen elementary students’ curiosity.]]>
