The researchers focused on a common challenge in physics education: students can encounter difficulty connecting abstract scientific concepts with situations they experience in everyday life. The article notes that critical reasoning is increasingly important because students must be able to analyze information, evaluate arguments and make logical decisions rather than simply memorize formulas. The study therefore places physics learning in a more familiar cultural context through Mabbulo Sipeppa.
Turning Local Wisdom Into a Physics Learning Experience
Mabbulo Sipeppa is a cultural philosophy associated with South Sulawesi and conceptually linked to A’bulo Sibatang in Makassar culture. The expression refers to bamboo poles becoming stronger when bound together as one. In the educational context described by the researchers, the philosophy represents solidarity, cooperation, mutual responsibility, democratic dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
For physics education, those values can become more than cultural knowledge. They can shape how students work together while observing phenomena, discussing evidence, evaluating ideas and reaching scientific conclusions.
The approach also reflects the principles of deep learning, which emphasizes meaningful, reflective and enjoyable learning rather than simply transferring large amounts of information to students. The article explains that students are encouraged to understand concepts deeply and connect classroom knowledge with their surrounding environment.
The resulting worksheet was designed to guide students through contextual investigations, collaborative activities, reflection and scientific reasoning. This makes the material different from a conventional worksheet focused mainly on questions and exercises.
Developed Through Five Stages
Kurniawan, Martawijaya and Khaeruddin used a research-and-development approach combining the Borg and Gall procedure with the ADDIE model. The development consisted of five stages: analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation.
First, the researchers analyzed learning needs through teacher interviews, curriculum analysis and examination of students’ characteristics and critical reasoning challenges. They found that structured physics co-curricular activities had not been systematically implemented and that learning worksheets integrating local wisdom were not yet available.
The team then designed the worksheet around deep-learning principles and Mabbulo Sipeppa values. After developing the prototype, material and media experts evaluated the product before it was implemented with Grade XI students at UPT SMA Negeri 2 Bone. Students completed tests before and after using the worksheet, while teachers and students also provided feedback on its practicality.
Experts Rated the Worksheet Highly Feasible
The evaluation produced strong results for the worksheet’s quality.
The Gregory validity coefficient reached 1.00, exceeding the study’s minimum validity threshold of 0.75. Media experts gave the worksheet an average feasibility score of 85.42%, while material experts gave it 85.83%. Both were categorized as “very feasible.”
Teacher and student responses were even higher. Teachers gave an average practicality score of 97%, indicating that the material was considered easy to implement and adaptable to classroom conditions. Students gave an average response of 98%, with the cultural-context aspect receiving a particularly strong score.
These figures suggest that incorporating local culture did not make the learning material more difficult to use. Instead, the cultural context was viewed positively by both teachers and students.
Critical Reasoning Improved, With Stronger Gains in Several Competencies
The study also compared students’ competencies before and after implementation.
Critical thinking scores increased from 63 to 86, while collaboration rose from 77 to 93. Creativity increased from 66 to 85, independence from 63 to 90, and citizenship from 72 to 95.
The N-gain analysis showed the largest improvement in the citizenship dimension, with a score of 0.82, categorized as high. Critical thinking reached 0.61, creativity 0.56, collaboration 0.69, and independence 0.72.
For critical reasoning specifically, the study reported an overall N-gain of 0.60, placing the improvement in the moderate category. The researchers associated the improvement with activities that encouraged questioning, analyzing arguments and reflecting on students’ own thinking.
The results suggest that cultural context can play a role not only in making science more familiar but also in supporting social and cognitive skills. The collaborative meaning embedded in Mabbulo Sipeppa gives students opportunities to communicate, cooperate and share responsibility during scientific activities.
Implications for Physics Education
The findings offer a practical direction for schools seeking to implement more contextual and meaningful science learning. Instead of treating local wisdom solely as cultural heritage, teachers can use it as a starting point for scientific investigation.
For students, this approach can make physics feel closer to their own environment and experiences. For teachers, the worksheet provides a structured resource for conducting co-curricular activities without separating science learning from students’ cultural backgrounds.
The study also has implications for cultural preservation. By placing Mabbulo Sipeppa inside a modern learning activity, students encounter the cultural philosophy while developing competencies needed for 21st-century education.
However, the researchers caution that broader studies are still needed. Future research should involve larger and more diverse groups of students, examine long-term effects and test the worksheet alongside approaches such as Problem-Based Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning and Project-Based Learning. The researchers also recommend exploring technology-supported implementation through learning management systems, virtual laboratories and AI-assisted learning platforms.
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