Bandar Lampung, May 20, 2025 – In a bold and innovative step toward meaningful education, SMP Xaverius 2 Bandar Lampung organized a Contextual Learning program for all 8th-grade students with the theme “Exploring Sustainable Marine Aquaculture for a Better Tomorrow!”. The activity took place at the Marine Aquaculture Development Center (BBPBL) in Hanura, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung, and involved around 147 students from five different classes (8A-8E).

This program was designed to bridge academic concepts with real-world applications, allowing students to directly observe sustainable aquaculture practices such as the cultivation of groupers, snappers, and lobsters. These experiences are not only related to environmental sustainability but also to economic development in the digital era.

Divided into two sessions, students engaged in a full day of learning. They participated in guided site visits, conducted interviews with BBPBL staff, and documented their observations. These were then developed into short video reports (3–5 minutes), created in both Bahasa Indonesia and English. Each group uploaded their video to their personal Instagram accounts.

“This kind of contextual learning provides students with more than just academic knowledge—it teaches them to think critically, creatively, and reflectively,” said Mr. Yohanes Dwi Ady Kurniawan, M.Pd., the program coordinator and English teacher.

The learning activities were integrated across four subjects such as analyzing nutritional values and health benefits of marine species (Science), exploring economic development in the digital age (Social Studies), and reporting observations clearly and effectively through bilingual communication (Bahasa Indonesia and English).

Ms. Sisilia Surasi Andriani, S.Si., M.M., the school principal, praised the program as a powerful example of the school's commitment to 21st-century education. “We want our students to not only understand theory but also to apply it meaningfully and become individuals who care about the environment and are ready to face future challenges,” she said.

With full support from the teaching staff and active student participation, the program demonstrated the success of integrating the Merdeka Curriculum into practical, field-based experiences. It was a day of discovery, connection, and deep learning—an example of how education can go beyond the classroom to inspire real-world understanding.

Evelyne Audrey Abuyamin/8C-