Community Service by the Mathematics Department: Refreshing Teaching Materials for MGMP Teachers in Brebes Regency

On October 9, 2024, the Mathematics Department of FMIPA UGM held a community service activity titled “Refreshing Some Teaching Materials in High Schools,” which took place at SMA Negeri 1 Jatibarang, Brebes Regency, Central Java. The event was attended by teachers who are members of the Mathematics Subject Teacher Consultation (MGMP) and students from the 3rd grade of SMA Negeri 1 Jatibarang. This PKM activity is a continuation of the PKM conducted in 2022 and 2023.

The event, moderated by Susiana A.Md., was opened with remarks from Dr. Sutopo, M.Si., the head of the PKM team from the Mathematics Department. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of enhancing teachers’ capacity to cope with the developments in the curriculum and technology in the field of education.

Next, Mr. Dr. Nur Rokhman, S.Pd., M.Pd., the Principal of SMA Negeri 1 Jatibarang, warmly welcomed the activities held that day. It is hoped that the participating teachers will benefit from each material presented by the speakers.

This activity was conducted in parallel in two different rooms. The presenters from the Mathematics Department of FMIPA UGM provided insights into teaching materials that often pose challenges for students, such as calculus, statistics, and linear algebra.

This program was designed to update teachers’ understanding of essential and applicable mathematical concepts in high school education. The materials were delivered by experts from the Mathematics Department of FMIPA UGM, moderated by Silvina Rosita Yulianti, S.Si., namely:

Statistics (Normal and Binomial Distributions) by Dr. Aluysius Sutjijana, M.Sc.
Bivariate Statistics and Financial Mathematics by Prof. Dr. Abdurakhman, M.Si.
Trigonometry (Limits, Derivatives, Integrals) by Prof. Dr. Supama, M.Si.
Functions and Modeling by Prof. Imam Solekhudin, Ph.D.
The session with high school students was moderated by Wira Kurniawan, S.E., focusing on the application of mathematics in everyday life, presented by experts:

Mathematics in Everyday Life by Dr. Lina Aryati, M.S.
Mathematics in Everyday Life by Atok Zulijanto, S.Si., M.Si, Ph.D.
Applications of Linear Equations by Dr. Ari Suparwanto.
Each session was accompanied by in-depth discussions and practice exercises, which were expected to provide new insights and improve the teaching skills of both teachers and students.

After all the materials were presented, the event continued with a discussion and Q&A session. Teachers actively posed questions regarding the application of the materials in class and shared their teaching experiences. This discussion provided an opportunity for teachers to gain practical solutions to the challenges they face in teaching. Additionally, participants were invited to engage in discussions and share experiences in an interactive session, where they could exchange solutions to various problems encountered in the learning process.

The event concluded with expressions of gratitude from both the school and the Mathematics Department of FMIPA UGM, along with the exchange of mementos. Participants appreciated the event and expressed hope for similar programs in the future to continue improving the quality of mathematics education in Brebes Regency.

Keywords: Brebes, Teachers, PKM

Author: Wira Kurniawan
Photographer: Wira Kurniawan