Integrating ethnoscience: Enhancing culture, technology, and sustainable economic development through design and education

¹ Natural Sciences Department, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, DIY, Indonesia
² Automotive Engineering Department, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, DIY, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: asri_widowati@uny.ac.id

Abstract

This article explores the pivotal role of integrating ethnoscience from the Sen-dangsari village, comprising traditional childhood games, traditional herbal reme-dies (‘jamu’), and indigenous plant knowledge, within the framework of learning that engages with culture, technology, and sustainable economic development. Ethnoscience refers to traditional knowledge held by ethnic or local communities, passed down through generations. In an era marked by globalization and modern-ization, the preservation and integration of ethnoscience into educational curricula have become increasingly essential. This article delves into how instructional design can facilitate the fusion of ethnoscience with contemporary technological concepts and sustainable economic development. Through this approach, local culture is empowered and integrated into technolog-ical advancements and economic progress, which can, in turn, promote sustainability and social equity. The incorporation of ethnoscience into education can also inspire locally relevant innovations, enhance community participation in devel-opment processes, and enrich the diversity of global knowledge. In this context, the article analyzes strategies for addressing challenges in integrating ethnosci-ence, such as appropriate introduction, teacher training, and the development of inclusive curricula. By embracing cultural heritage through an inclusive instructional design ap-proach, this article contends that the integration of ethnoscience can serve as a catalyst for connecting cultural, technological, and sustainable economic development aspects. Overall, the article underscores the need for interdisciplinary col-laboration and a deep understanding of local contexts in developing education that contributes to a sustainable future.