Strategies and Patterns of Presenting Essay Writing Content Derived from Local Wisdom among Upper Primary School Students through the STEM Education Approach

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the strategies and Patterns of Essay Content Presentation Based on the Concept of STEM Learning from Local Wisdom among Upper Primary School Students, aims to analyze the strategies and patterns of essay content presentation within the framework of STEM learning derived from local wisdom, as well as to identify the types of local wisdom presented in essays submitted to a competition under the theme “Humans and Nature.” The data were obtained from 36 student essays. The findings revealed four major strategies: 1) Essay titling strategies: five approaches were found, namely titling based on the project theme (44.44%), outcomes or products from problem-solving (33.33%), referencing sources of information (11.11%), STEM concepts (5.56%), and environmental observation (5.56%); 2) Introduction strategies: three approaches were found, namely emphasizing the significance of the topic (69.44%), analyzing situations and problems (25.00%), and posing thought-provoking questions (5.56%); 3) Body writing strategies: four approaches were found, namely rational explanation (41.67%), stepwise scientific explanation (30.56%), explanation based on observation and inquiry (19.44%), and illustration with examples (8.33%); 4) Conclusion strategies: four approaches were found, namely persuasive conclusion (52.78%), emphasis on benefits (38.88%), comparative evaluation of advantages and disadvantages (5.56%), and thought-provoking questions (2.78%). These strategies correspond to four steps of scientific thinking: (1) titling corresponds to observation and exploration; (2) introduction corresponds to observation and exploration as well as analysis and data collection; (3) body writing corresponds to analysis and data collection, questioning and scientific reasoning, and problem-solving and critical thinking; and (4) conclusion corresponds to questioning and scientific reasoning and problem-solving and critical thinking. Furthermore, analysis of the types of local wisdom revealed eight categories: 1) conservation and utilization of natural resources (55.55%), 2) agriculture (11.11%), 3) herbal medicine (8.33%), 4) food (8.33%), 5) local arts and culture (5.56%), 6) handicrafts (5.56%), 7) clothing (2.78%), and 8) energy resources (2.78%).