Creative Ideas of Rural Students in Indonesia Toward the Mask Waste Issue Through STEM Activity in the Post COVID-19 Pandemic

Conference: The Paris Conference on Education (PCE2022)
Title: Creative Ideas of Rural Students in Indonesia Toward the Mask Waste Issue Through STEM Activity in the Post COVID-19 Pandemic
Stream: Nurturing Creativity & Innovation: New, Innovative & Radical Education
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Authors:
Slamet Hariyadi, University of Jember, Indonesia
Bevo Wahono, University of Jember, Indonesia
Yuliati Yuliati, Junior High School No.1 Panti Jember, Indonesia

Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic has a side impact; the accumulation of medical mask waste daily due to health protocol rules. This condition arises as a concern from students at Junior High School No. 1 Panti, a school in the rural area of Jember, to deal with the problem of mask waste, which impacts the environment. The data in this study derived from students' creative ideas were taken using a questionnaire and an interview with a sample of 10 students. This participant number is limited because the school is located in a rural area. Data result in this current study were analyzed qualitatively. According to students' perception, the result shows that masks polluted the environment (92.9%), thereby increasing disease caused by viruses (78.6%). Students argue that the condition needs to be handled by creating products made from used masks that have been sterilized (78.6%) into handicraft products (21.4%), for example, flower pots (78.6%). In addition, mask waste can be created into ornamental flowers (53.8%), smartphone pockets (7.7%), trash bins (7.7%), bags (30.8%), frames (7.7%), and calligraphy (7.7%). Therefore, the simple recycling and ideas through STEM activities from the students could reduce the pile of medical mask waste in the post-Covid-19 pandemic.

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