The atmosphere at State Elementary School 06 (SD Negeri 06), Lemukutan Island, on Thursday morning, 24 July 2025, was filled with excitement and cheer. The students enthusiastically welcomed a Community Service Program (PKM) held by a team of lecturers from the Mathematics Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tanjungpura University (UNTAN). The activity aimed to introduce a way of learning mathematics that was more lively, engaging, and far from boring.
Theme and Warm Reception
This PKM was themed “Implementation of Joyful Mathematics Learning through Interactive Realistic Teaching Media for Elementary School Students”. A total of 76 students from grades 4, 5, and 6 participated, accompanied by teachers, the school committee, and local community leaders who gave their full support.
After a solemn opening, which began with the national anthem Indonesia Raya, the event proceeded with speeches. The Head of SD Negeri 06 Pulau Lemukutan, Isharianto, S.Pd., expressed his gratitude. He emphasized that it was rare for the students there to have the opportunity to learn directly from lecturers who traveled all the way from Pontianak. “This is a truly valuable and rare moment for our children,” he stated.
The Coordinator of the Mathematics Study Program at FMIPA UNTAN, Dr. Bayu Prihandono, M.Sc., also shared his view on the importance of breakthroughs in teaching mathematics at the elementary level. “If delivered with the right, context-relevant method, mathematics can certainly become an enjoyable subject. That is the spirit we bring to Lemukutan,” he explained. The Head of Lemukutan Island Village also welcomed the activity, hoping that collaboration between higher education institutions and the village community would continue to grow.
Class Turns into a Creative Workshop
After the opening session and a concluding prayer, the main activity began. Eko Sulistyono, S.Si., M.Si., the main speaker, guided the students to understand the concepts of flat shapes and spatial figures using concrete teaching aids.
The classroom atmosphere became immediately vibrant. Each student eagerly received nets of cubes and blocks. They were then invited to assemble these nets into complete three-dimensional forms using colorful raffia strings. The children clearly enjoyed the process of learning while creating, helping one another, and engaging in playful banter. This new teaching method was closely observed by the teachers, who took notes as a reference for implementation in their daily lessons.
Impact and Hopes for Continuation
The interactive, realistic approach proved effective. It not only improved the students’ understanding of mathematical concepts but also improved their motor skills, spatial abilities, and teamwork skills. This method also provided fresh inspiration for the teachers in Lemukutan on how to present mathematics in a way that is more practical and relatable to the children’s everyday lives.
At the end of the event, the school expressed an excellent desire for similar programs to continue in the future. This PKM serves as concrete evidence of the role of higher education in bringing direct educational benefits to coastal areas, striving for education that is more inclusive, creative, and joyful.
