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| Children's learning process at Edupark Sengkaling (Photo: Istimewah) |
Not only engaged in entertainment and culinary Sengkaling Recreation Park, but the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) also began to spread its wings in Educational Tourism (Eduwisata). This ecotourism development has been implemented since the beginning of fasting and until now. There are three fields of ecotourism offered by Sengkaling, namely the process of making and utilizing renewable energy, eco enzymes, and aquatic biota.
Making this ecotourism originated from the research of one of the biology education lecturers, namely Dr. Sukarsono, M.Si, which was started in 1998. This research focuses on the Conservation Based Learning Model (CBL Model). This learning is that children understand their environment better and develop environmentally friendly behavior. This model can also help schools in implementing adiwiyata.
"In the end, I collaborated with the Indonesian Adiwiyata School Developer Action Foundation (APSAI) to build ecotourism in Sengkaling as the final product of the research. Educational materials are tailored to the school's needs and will continue to be developed. For the future, we are preparing this ecotourism on an international scale," explained the lecturer from Linggarjati.
UMM Sengkaling Recreation Park Marketing Coordinator, Yeni Dwi Kurniawati, S.Sos. She explained that the ecotourism program is currently only open to schools in Malang. The learning process also goes through registration first.
"Sengkaling ecotourism cannot be enjoyed commercially for the general public. Although it has not been opened in general, many schools from Elementary School (SD), Junior High School (SMP), to High School (SMA) have made Adiwiyata tourism visits here. Of course, we plan to open it for public visitors in the future,".
Furthermore, Yeni explained that the concept of implementing Adiwiyata tourism was packaged like an outbound. Students will be taught about team building and teamwork in the initial stage. After that, the students will be divided into several groups to study the three fields of ecotourism in Sengkaling. This activity lasted for five hours, namely from eight in the morning until one in the afternoon. Its activities are centered on the lake and the Sengkaling Science and Technology building.
"The first field is the manufacture and utilization of renewable energy. Children will be taught about renewable sources of electrical energy from the sun, water, and air. This field will also introduce the working system of fast boats, the manufacture of water rockets, and the workings of electric cars. In the second field, there is an eco-enzyme. Students will be taught about mixing organic waste that is useful as compost. Finally, there is the field of aquatic biota. Here, students will be taught about water's potential hydrogen (pH) content and how to distinguish between healthy water and not," said Yeni.
Not only for students, Yeni said that in this outbound, teachers would also receive material on learning about environmental utilization and certificates. In the future, Yeni said that Sengkaling would expand the reach of this ecotourism to schools outside Malang. Yeni also said that Sengkaling wanted to invite speakers from abroad who specifically explained the field of Adiwiyata and environmental management.
"Our ecotourism development aims to make the younger generation pay more attention to the environment and protect it. Therefore, forming a mindset about protecting nature from an early age is a good step. We hope that this ecotourism will not only focus on outbound and reservations but can also be enjoyed by visitors in general," she concluded.(cdr/syi/wil)
