Moved by the condition, ITB’s Community Service Team took an initiative to educate the students of SDN 2 Batukaras, Pangandaran Regency. The project consists of undergraduate and master students, accompanied by Wiwin Windupranata, Gabriella Alodia, dan Intan Hayatiningsih from ITB’s Hydrography Research Group.

This activity took place on July 17, 2023 inside a classroom of 5th and 6th graders. The activity was divided into two parts: material and quiz. During the material session, students were taught about earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as the causes and precautions that need to be done when the disasters happen. The material session was presented by Tiara Vani (Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering’20) and Kevin Agriva Ginting (Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering’20).

In this activity, a Geographic Information System (GIS) is introduced to display earthquakes or tsunamis evacuation routes. This system was introduced by master’s students Alqintara Nuraghnia and Candida Aulia de Silva Nusantara.

After the materials session, the elementary students participated in an engaging quiz session guided by Michael Aventa and Sonia Kartini. Every student who answered correctly received rewards such as water bottles, tsunami training modules, T-shirts, and bags filled with disaster preparedness materials. Not only did the students participate, but the lecturer also led the ice-breaking activities and sang songs related to earthquakes.

The lecturer, Gabriella Alodia, Ph.D. explained that tsunami training modules are specifically designed for elementary school students. “We designed these modules with a focus on elementary kids to educate and prepare them from an early age,” she said.

Tiara Vani also emphasized the importance of this education, especially since the students live near the beach. “Yesterday's activity of educating the elementary kids about tsunamis is crucial because they reside close to the beach. It’s essential to instill awareness from a young age about the dangers of tsunamis and what should be done in case of a tsunami” she stated.

Michael Aventa hopes that the knowledge the students have acquired can be shared with others. He said “I hope the trained children can also teach their parents and their other friends how to prepare in case of an earthquake or tsunami in Batukaras,”. 

Reporter: Kevin Agriva Ginting, (Teknik Geodesi dan Geomatika, 2020)

Translator: Sherina Wijaya

Editor: Anggi Nurdiani (Manajemen, 2021)