GROUP EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITIES TO UNDERSTAND CHANGES IN THE STATES OF MATTER AMONG THIRD-GRADE STUDENTS

Fadhila Chairul Nisa (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)
Azizah Amalia Abbas (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)
Yohannes Mari Ba’I Leta (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)
Adolfin Keke (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)
Emanuel Ohaq (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)
Ainun Jariyah (Universitas Flores, Ende, Indonesia)
Veronika Praja Sinta Mbia Wae (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)
Yosephina Payu Wao (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)
Jumilah Gago (Biology Education Study Program, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia)

Mitra Mahajana: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat
Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026): Volume 7 Nomor 3 Tahun 2026

Science learning in elementary school requires activities that allow students to directly observe natural phenomena. Changes in the state of matter include melting, evaporation, and condensation, which occur in everyday life but may require concrete learning experiences to support students' understanding. This community service activity aimed to describe the implementation of group experiments on changes in the state of matter among third-grade students at SDK Bengga, Kotodirumali Village, Keo Tengah District, Nagekeo Regency, Indonesia. The activity consisted of planning, introductory instruction, experiments, group discussions, and evaluation using student worksheets. The experiments used ice cubes, hot water, a glass, a plate, and a pot lid to observe changes in the state of matter. Students were given opportunities to observe phenomena, discuss their findings, complete worksheets, and present group results. The implementation demonstrated that group experiments using simple materials can serve as an alternative approach to elementary science learning. The activity also provided opportunities for students to participate in observations and group discussions. However, because quantitative measurements before and after the activity were not available, improvements in students' conceptual understanding could not be statistically established. Similar activities should incorporate structured assessment instruments to evaluate conceptual understanding and science process skills more systematically.