Chemistry Education Students of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Win Gold Award at FACS Future Scientists Program 2026

Yogyakarta – A proud achievement was once again attained by students of the Chemistry Education Study Programme, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Education (FITK), UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. Four Chemistry Education students successfully won the Gold Award in the international event FACS Future Scientists Program 2026: Science Projects in Schools Showcase and Undergraduate Research Presentation. The program was organised by the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS) as a platform for students and undergraduates to showcase science projects and research results at the Asian level.

The award-winning team consisted of Anastasya Zulfatin Zahra, Dina Rahayu Ningsih, Livia Latifah, and Hidayah Sigalingging. In their participation in this competition, the team was mentored by Dr. Paed. Asih Widi Wisudawati, S.Pd., M.Pd. and Ari Wahyu Saputro, M.Pd. The names of the four students and the two supervising lecturers are listed on the award certificate issued by FACS.

The Gold Award was presented for a work entitled “Aqua-Chem: Development of a Web-Based Interactive Digital Story on Water Pollution to Support Sustainable Chemical Literacy among Senior High School Students.” This work addresses the issue of water pollution and connects it to efforts to support sustainable chemical literacy for high school students. Through the development of a web-based interactive digital story, Aqua-Chem is directed as a form of innovation that utilises digital technology to convey environmental issues in the context of chemistry learning.

The elevation of the water pollution issue in this work is relevant to environmental challenges close to everyday life. Water pollution can not only be viewed as an environmental issue, but can also be studied through a chemical perspective, for example by understanding pollutants, water characteristics, and the impact of human activities on the quality of aquatic environments. By packaging this issue into interactive digital story media, the Aqua-Chem work endeavours to bring the discussion of sustainable chemistry closer to real-life contexts recognisable by learners.

The FACS Future Scientists Program 2026 carries the theme Science Projects in Schools Showcase and Undergraduate Research Presentation and was conducted online as a side event of the 13th International Conference on Pure and Applied Chemistry (ICPAC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This program is open to high school students and undergraduate students from Asian countries, particularly those affiliated with the FACS network. The activity provides a space for participants to introduce research, experiments, or innovative ideas through forms of scientific communication.

To participate in the competition, participants were required to prepare three main components, namely a one-page abstract, an A0-sized scientific poster, and a 3–5 minute presentation video. The abstract was prepared in English with a maximum provision of 200 words, while the poster contained scientific sections such as background, objectives, methodology, results and discussion, conclusions, and potential application. The presentation video was also delivered in English to explain the core of the project concisely and in a structured manner.

The evaluation of the work was carried out by an evaluation committee considering five aspects, each having a weight of 20 percent. These aspects include Scientific Process, Creativity and Innovation, Completeness and Quality of Content, Practical Application and Impact, and Video Presentation and Scientific Understanding. With this scope of assessment, participants were not only required to deliver creative ideas, but also to demonstrate a scientific foundation, quality of content, potential application, and understanding of the developed work.

Winning the Gold Award on October 12, 2026, became an important milestone for the Aqua-Chem team. This award simultaneously serves as recognition of the Chemistry Education students' participation in an international scientific forum and an opportunity to communicate ideas regarding environmental issues through a chemistry education approach. Participation in such activities also provides experience in drafting scientific abstracts, designing posters, and presenting research ideas in English.

This achievement is expected to be an encouragement for other Chemistry Education students to continue developing creativity, scientific thinking skills, and the courage to participate in academic activities at the national and international levels. Aside from being a source of pride for the team and the study programme, the Aqua-Chem work demonstrates the importance of connecting chemistry learning with environmental and sustainability issues encountered in daily life.