Sidoarjo, East Java, October 13, 2026 — The commemoration of Language Month at SMAN 1 Taman, Sidoarjo, East Java, served as a momentum to strengthen literacy and showcase student creativity through co-curricular projects based on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). One of the projects showcased was ART-MATIKS, an innovation that combines mathematics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the preservation of Sidoarjo batik.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education (Mendikdasmen), Abdul Mu'ti, emphasized the importance of language as a national identity and sovereignty. "When we talk about language, we're not just talking about language as a means of communication, but also language as a national identity and sovereignty," said the Minister in East Java on Monday (12/10).
This message aligns with the school's efforts to foster a love of Indonesian language, literature, and literacy. The principal of SMAN 1 Taman, Dewi Nurmalasari, stated that the series of activities provides in-depth, meaningful, collaborative, and student-centered learning.
Through co-curricular projects, students are trained to develop critical thinking, creativity, independence, and communication skills. "It trains them to explore problems, think creatively, critically, independently, collaborate, and communicate effectively, and so on," Dewi emphasized.
ART-MATIKS, From Mathematical Formulas to Batik Designs
One of the works that attracted attention was ART-MATIKS (Sidoarjo Batik Mathematics Redesign & Transformation Application), which was guided by one of the teachers of SMAN 1 Taman, Ika Yunita, and developed by grade XI students.
On that occasion, one of the eleventh grade students, Elfaretha Shifa, said that this project utilized the concept of geometric transformation, including dilation, reflection, rotation, and translation, to design batik motifs which were then developed with the help of AI.
"Starting with dilation, reflection, rotation, and translation. Then, from these formulas, we create a motif design using AI prompts to apply and develop it to become even better, resulting in a masterpiece," Shifa explained while presenting the project.
The resulting motifs can be applied to various products, from drinking bottles, displays, fans, key chains, to fabric and clothing designs.
For Shifa, this project also serves as an effort to promote the region's rich cultural heritage. "As residents of Sidoarjo, we also have an obligation to preserve local wisdom," Shifa said.
Through ART-MATIKS, students not only learn mathematics as a collection of formulas, but also apply it in creative projects that connect technology, creativity, and local culture. This project also demonstrates how STEM-based learning can be a vehicle for developing innovation while fostering an appreciation for cultural heritage.
The combination of Language Month and co-curricular projects demonstrates that literacy and technological mastery can grow hand-in-hand. The school encourages students to become a generation proud of their language and culture, capable of communicating ideas, and adapting to changing times. (Writer: Ririn/Editor: Stephanie/Seno H./Photographer: Nurlaili)
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