The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FMIPA UI), held a Community Service Program titled “Smart Nature Movement: Educating the Community to Understand Nature, Manage Waste, and Build a Culture of Disaster Preparedness” on October 22–24, 2025, at the Parangtopo Laboratory Complex, FMIPA UI, Depok.
The activity, part of the 2025 Community Service Grant Program from the Directorate of Community Engagement and Social Innovation (DPIS UI), involved 555 participants, consisting of elementary (107), junior high (191), and senior high school students (257). Through educational fun games and interactive simulations, participants were encouraged to understand the importance of maintaining environmental balance, managing waste responsibly, and building preparedness for natural disasters.
Learning About Nature Through Educational Games
Unlike conventional learning activities, the “Smart Nature Movement” was designed as a fun game with the theme “Climate Education Treasure Hunt.” Participants took part in a series of interactive stations spread across the Parangtopo Laboratory area, including waste management, biodiversity introduction, and disaster preparedness simulation posts.
The games were conducted using board games, illustrated cards, and guide booklets. Elementary school students became “Leaf Detectives,” learning to identify the shapes and functions of various types of leaves and practicing how to separate organic and inorganic waste using visual cards. Junior high school participants studied the diversity of plant habits and learned about waste processing using biodigesters, while high school students explored ecosystems and food chains and carried out soil and water conservation activities through biopore-making practices.
In addition, all participants wrote personal messages titled “My Small Step for Nature” on the Eco Wall of Fame board and took part in a point-based competition, with special awards given to the best-performing groups.
Scientific Presentation Session: Learning Directly from the Experts
In addition to the educational games, the event also featured a scientific presentation session delivered by lecturers from FMIPA UI. From the Department of Biology, Dr. Windri Handayani, Niarsi Merry Hemelda, Ph.D., and Afiatri Putrika, M.Sc., presented materials on Botany, introducing plant diversity, leaf structure, and the role of vegetation in maintaining ecosystem balance.
Meanwhile, Fadhillah, Ph.D., and D.Ag.Sc. Upi Chairun Nisa delivered an engaging presentation on Zoology, helping participants understand the relationship between animals and their environment, as well as the importance of preserving fauna diversity as part of the web of life.
From the Geological and Geophysical Engineering Study Program, a team of lecturers Dr. Eng. Supriyanto, Aldo Febriansyah Putra, Ph.D., Urwatul Wusqa, M.T., and Asri Oktavioni Indraswari, S.T., M.Sc. also participated, delivering an educational session on Disaster Preparedness Culture. They taught how to respond to potential volcanic eruptions, landslides, and earthquakes, as well as introduced an innovative technology developed by Dr. Eng. Supriyanto called the Earthquake Warning Alert System (EWAS) an early earthquake detection device designed to enhance public preparedness for natural disasters.
Fostering Environmental Awareness from an Early Age
The Head of the FMIPA UI Community Service Team, Dr. Windri Handayani, S.Si., M.Si., from the Department of Biology, stated that this activity serves as a tangible contribution of the university in fostering environmental awareness among the younger generation.
“Caring for nature is not only the responsibility of academics or activists, but a responsibility shared by all of us — from children to adults. Through activities like this, UI aims to show that learning about the environment can be both enjoyable and meaningful,” said Dr. Windri.
Meanwhile, the Manager of Research and Community Engagement at FMIPA UI, Dr. Dipo Aldila, S.Si., M.Si., added that this activity represents a concrete effort to bring science closer to everyday life.
“Learning from nature, acting for the Earth, and being ready to face change — that’s the message we want to convey. We hope students not only understand the theory but are also able to take small actions that create a big impact on the environment,” said Dr. Dipo.
Synergy for the SDGs
The “Smart Nature Movement” also collaborated with the program “Suara Anak Bangsa Peduli Perubahan Iklim Berkelanjutan” (Voices of the Nation’s Children for Sustainable Climate Action). This initiative supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 15 (Life on Land), through an interactive, experiential, and educational approach.
In addition to instilling the 3R habits (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), participants were also encouraged to understand the relationship between land, energy, and vegetation management and the risks of disasters such as floods, landslides, and droughts.
This activity is expected to serve as a learning model that can be implemented in other schools, so that environmental awareness and disaster preparedness can be nurtured from an early age.
