Integration of Local Wisdom in PBL-based Science Teaching Material to Improve Students' Environmental Literacy

Zetira Yunita Santi (Department of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia)
Habiddin Habiddin (Department of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia Department of Chemistry, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia)
Erti Hamimi (Graduate School Student of the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore)
Shinta Permata Sari (Department of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia)

Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research
Vol 7, No 4 (2026)

This study investigates the effect of PBL-based science teaching materials integrated with local wisdom (PBL-LW) on improving students' environmental literacy (EL). The sample consisted of male and female students from a public Islamic junior high school in Malang, East Java, Indonesia. The one-group pretest-posttest method was employed, utilizing the Middle School Environmental Literacy Survey (MSELS) as the instrument, which covers several aspects of environmental literacy, including knowledge, environmentally conscious attitudes, cognitive skills, and ecologically responsible behavior. The data were analyzed descriptively, and the t-test and the Wilcoxon test were used to assess differences in students' environmental literacy skills. Additionally, the N-Gain test measured the extent of improvement in students' EL. The findings indicate a significant difference in students' EL following PBL-LW science instruction. This is reinforced by the N-Gain results, demonstrating the effectiveness of these teaching materials in enhancing students' EL. This study suggests the need to promote EL in the education system from an early age. This will ensure a better environment in the future and avoid the risk of ecological damage.