Winning First Place at National PGSD ELDUFEST, UNU Jogja Student Develops “Math Adventure Box”

Yogyakarta, Indonesia — Shelya Era Juna, a 2024 student of the Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD) Program at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja), won First Place in the PGSD ELDUFEST Batch II Video Competition organized by Universitas Alma Ata on Monday, January 5.

The competition, which brought together students from universities across Indonesia, became a platform for Shelya to present her innovative learning media titled “Math Adventure Box”, a Mathematics Adventure Box designed to support elementary school learning.

Through her project, Shelya introduced a learning tool created to help fourth-grade elementary students understand basic fractions, such as one-half, one-third, and one-fourth, in a more engaging and accessible way. The Math Adventure Box is a cardboard-based adventure box containing various learning tools, including fraction cards, food illustrations such as pizza, cake, and watermelon, a fraction wheel, and fraction challenge cards.

Shelya explained that the Math Adventure Box was developed in response to the difficulties many students face when learning fractions, which are often taught in an abstract way.
“Through the Math Adventure Box, students can see, touch, and directly practice fraction concepts, making them easier to understand,” she said.

The media is designed with bright colors and simple shapes to make it attractive and easy for children to use. Each component helps students recognize and compare fractions through visuals closely related to everyday life.

In its implementation, teachers first introduce the Math Adventure Box and explain the function of each component. Students then observe fraction images of pizza, cake, and watermelon before taking turns spinning the fraction wheel. When the pointer stops on a symbol, students take a Fraction Challenge Card and answer the question provided.

“In this way, learning is not one-directional but actively involves students in thinking, answering, and discussing,” Shelya added.

Beyond strengthening conceptual understanding, the Math Adventure Box aims to increase students’ learning motivation, build their confidence in answering questions, and create a more enjoyable classroom atmosphere through educational games. By connecting fraction concepts with daily activities such as sharing pizza, birthday cakes, or watermelon at home, students can see that fractions are part of real life.

Through this innovation, Shelya hopes mathematics learning in elementary schools will become more engaging and no longer be perceived as difficult. “Learning mathematics can feel like playing a game—fun and full of adventure,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, the Head of the PGSD Department at UNU Jogja, Dr. Murdianto, emphasized that Shelya’s achievement reflects the spirit of future educators who are adaptive, creative, and competitive.

“Shelya’s achievement shows that PGSD students at UNU Jogja do not only learn theory but are also capable of producing real innovations that meet the needs of today’s classrooms. This proves that future teachers must act as problem solvers, media creators, and agents of change in education. Her persistence is an example of how PGSD students at UNU Jogja, as a private university in Yogyakarta, can stand out confidently at the national level,” he said. [Latifah]