Is the topic of food and its sustainable use important in science learning? : Description of staple food variation consumption in junior high school students
Selvies Lea Babutta, Diana Rochintaniawati dan Sumar Hendayana

Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudi No. 229, Bandung 40154, Indonesia. 1Departemen Pendidikan IPA

Abstract

This research raises the issue of food from the existence of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) which responding to the fear of the global impact of society on the natural environment. Specifically, this study aims to provide an overview of the local products consumption on staple foods variation, responses on topic of food in science learning, and responses on environment that shaping habit of 117 junior high school students. Data were collected using a Google Formulir questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques with percentage figures. The results showed that foods other than rice such as cassava, corn, bananas and others are 58.1% consumed as staple foods and 69.2% consumed as snack. Furthermore, 94.9% of students consider that in science lesson it is important to learn about food, especially about its function, role, benefit and its relation to the environment. Meanwhile, there are 69.2% students declare that good habit on using staples food variation other than rice is shaped and developed within family and community environment and 64.1% of the students said that this habit is influenced by school environment. These results provide an illustration that 1) staple foods other than rice is mainly consumed daily by students as snack while rice is still considered as the main staple food, 2) the topic of food and its sustainable use is important to be learned as part of science lesson and for the student to be able to see, recognize and be aware of the inter-relation and dependency between humans and other single ecological units. Family, community and school environment can be the Support System in shaping habit of using food variations in daily consumption. The system can be developed through pedagogical intervention in learning and teaching material and school programs.

Keywords: staples food, science learning, ESD

Topic: ESD in Science Education