UNS — The English for Vocational Purposes (EVP) Research Group from the English Diploma Program at the Vocational School of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has initiated a community service project focusing on the development of a Kids’ Corner and the creation of creative educational books for young visitors at the Keris Nusantara Museum (MKN).

This project was sparked by the observations of M. Fariz Al Hazmi, S.S., a curator at MKN, who noted that young children are a highly potential target audience for the museum. “Many elementary schools from both the Solo area and beyond visit this museum,” he stated in a release received by uns.ac.id on Friday (9/8/2024).

Mira Handayani, A.Md., an educator at MKN, added that children who visit the Keris Nusantara Museum show a genuine interest in keris.

“However, they initially feel afraid to enter the museum due to the mystical stories they’ve heard about keris. Additionally, while they find learning about Keris and its history fascinating, they struggle to understand the unfamiliar terminology,” she explained.

To address these challenges, the UNS EVP Research Group focused on developing a Kids’ Corner and creating creative educational books that cater to the preferences of young visitors, a key target demographic for MKN. The project is led by Kennia Wikanditha, S.S., M.Li., with team members including Paramita Widya Hapsari, S.S., M.Hum., Dr. Bayu Dewa Murti, S.S., M.Hum., Dimas Adika, S.S., M.Hum., Anita Rusjayanti, S.S., M.Hum., Ardianna Nuraeni, S.S., M.Hum., and Albertus Agung Yuwono, S.S., M.Hum.

Kennia Wikanditha, M. Li. emphasized that this community service project not only supports access to quality education for children but also enriches their learning experiences in a creative and interactive way. This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

“This project also aims to dispel the stigma that keris are frightening objects for children. The Kids’ Corner is designed to provide a child-friendly space where they can have a hands-on learning experience about Keris and its history,” she explained.

The activities planned by the EVP Research Group and MKN include assembling puzzles, handling keris replicas, and playing a custom-designed snakes and ladders game themed around keris. In addition, there will be infographics about Keris and its history, written in simple language to make it easier for children to understand.

The community service project began in February 2024. In April 2024, the RG team, along with four assistant researchers, started drafting questions to be asked to MKN visitors with children aged 5-10 years. From May 21-26, 2024, the EVP RG team, with the help of the assistant researchers, conducted interviews and distributed questionnaires to MKN visitors. This was done to ensure that the educational books created by the EVP RG team would meet the preferences of museum visitors.

Throughout June 2024, the EVP RG team engaged in intensive discussions with MKN to draft and develop the content of the creative educational books. The hope is that these books will not only benefit MKN but also serve as a valuable resource for the general public visiting the museum. Following these discussions, the creative educational book for MKN visitors aged 5-10 years will be divided into several sections. These include the story of Hikayat Keris Taming Sari, which tells of Hang Tuah’s bravery; Keris Damar Murup or Urubing Dilah, which conveys the message of “Urip iku Urup“; and independent activities suitable for children, such as coloring pages. The creative educational book is currently in its final stages of completion and refinement.

Putri Pamungkas, S.Pd., a representative from MKN, expressed that this year’s theme for the community service project aligns perfectly with one of MKN’s visions and missions.

“Through this initiative, we hope that the ‘frightening’ stigma associated with keris will fade away as we provide specialized, child-friendly educational facilities,” she concluded.

HUMAS UNS

Editor: Dwi Hastuti