Bunaken, 30 July 2026 — The LUPIC Team, in collaboration with the Chemistry Department of Universitas Negeri Manado (UNIMA), carried out a Community Service Program at SMPN 12 Manado, located in the Bunaken Island area. Supported by the Leading University Project for International Cooperation (LUPIC), this activity aimed to strengthen science learning through hands‑on chemistry activities, teacher empowerment, and student engagement.
LUPIC is a collaborative international program coordinated by Sogang University, South Korea, and involves a network of partner universities across Indonesia. The universities participating in LUPIC include Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Universitas Maritim Raja Ali, Universitas Negeri Lampung, and Universitas Negeri Manado (UNIMA) as one of the active partner institutions.
During the community service program, lecturers and students from UNIMA worked together with the LUPIC Team to deliver interactive science learning sessions. These included microscale chemistry experiments, EthnoSTEAM‑based learning approaches, and environmentally friendly science practices tailored to the ecological and cultural context of Bunaken. The initiative received a warm welcome from the school leadership, teachers, and students.
The team demonstrated simple, safe, and low‑cost chemistry experiments that can be implemented with minimal equipment—an approach particularly beneficial for schools in remote or island regions. Teachers were introduced to strategies for integrating local environmental and cultural elements into science lessons, while students participated enthusiastically in practical activities that connected chemistry concepts to everyday life on the island.
The program also emphasized environmental awareness, especially considering Bunaken’s status as a globally recognized marine conservation area. Through discussions and hands‑on activities, students explored how scientific knowledge contributes to coral reef protection, water quality preservation, and sustainable community practices.
This community service initiative reflects the shared commitment of UNIMA and LUPIC to expanding educational outreach and ensuring that students and teachers in island communities have access to high‑quality science learning. It also strengthens collaboration between UNIMA, local schools, and international partners under the LUPIC framework.
The LUPIC Team expressed appreciation for the hospitality of SMPN 12 Manado and reaffirmed its dedication to continuing similar programs that support science education across North Sulawesi, particularly in underserved and geographically isolated areas.
