Kulon Progo, April 14, 2026 — Efforts to increase students’ interest in learning and understanding of physics concepts continue to be carried out through innovative approaches. One of these efforts was realized through a community service activity titled “PhET Simulation Training to Increase Students’ Interest and Facilitate Physics Learning,” which was held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at MAN 1 Kulon Progo. The activity was led by Himawan Putranta, M.Pd., a lecturer in the Physics Education Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, together with a team of lecturers consisting of Dr. Winarti, M.Pd., and Nira Nurwulandari, M.Pd., and supported by student Ahmad Jazari. The training focused on students from the DKV class, or Visual Communication Design, who also study physics as part of their curriculum.

During the activity, the community service team introduced the use of interactive learning media based on PhET, or Physics Education Technology, simulations. The materials presented were adapted to the needs and characteristics of DKV students, namely the topics of light and color, as well as the concept of rigid body equilibrium through a seesaw simulation, or balancing game. Himawan Putranta, M.Pd., explained that the use of PhET aims to bridge abstract physics concepts into more concrete and easily understood forms. “Through this simulation, students do not only observe, but can also interact directly with physical phenomena. This makes learning more interesting and meaningful,” he said.

Throughout the activity, students showed great enthusiasm. They actively explored various features in the simulations, experimented with the available variables, and engaged in discussions to understand the concepts being studied. The classroom atmosphere became more lively compared to conventional learning. Dr. Winarti, M.Pd., added that visual and interactive approaches such as PhET are highly relevant for DKV students. “DKV students have a strong visual tendency, so the use of this kind of media is very effective in helping them understand physics concepts, especially those related to color and light,” she explained. Meanwhile, Nira Nurwulandari, M.Pd., emphasized the importance of innovation in physics learning so that physics is no longer considered a difficult subject. “With the right approach, physics can actually be enjoyable and easy to understand,” she said.

The student involved, Ahmad Jazari, also played an active role in assisting students during the simulation practice. He helped students who experienced both technical and conceptual difficulties, allowing the learning process to run optimally. This activity is expected to have a positive impact on students, particularly in increasing their interest in learning and understanding of physics concepts. In addition, teachers at the school are also expected to adopt simulation media as part of classroom learning innovation. Through this training, MAN 1 Kulon Progo further demonstrates its commitment to providing learning that is adaptive and relevant to technological developments, while also supporting the improvement of education quality in the digital era.