Empowering Traditional Ecological Knowledge throught Project Based Learning Models to Enhancing Students’Environmental Literacy

Abstract

Traditional Ecological Knowledge can be understood as the body of knowledge a given population has concerning the ecological aspects of the environment in which it lives and its various practical implications. It is necessary to introduce and empower the indigenous people knowledge to student throught the education so student have the attitude and behavior in protecting their environment. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Project Based Learning (PjBL) models based on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) ikan larangan dan hutan larangan on student’s environmental literacy. This type of research was a quasi-experimental pretest only group design study. The research sample are 60 students of class E phase SMAN 1 Lareh Sago Halaban, West Sumatera. Students' environmental literacy data was obtained by an objective test instrument uses indicators from the North American Association for Environment Education (NAAEE). The results of statistical analysis showed that the PjBL model based on TEK has an effect on students' environmental literacy. The average score achieved by students in the class group using PjBL model based on TEK is higher than students who are taught by PjBL model only. By including TEK in the learning process it is an effort to grow and improve student environmental literacy.