Siri’ Na Pacce-based virtual reality STEM projects in science learning: Environmental knowledge, ecological awareness, and environmental care attitudes
Erma Suryani Sahabuddin 1 * , Ulyawati Ulyawati 2 , Muhammad Irfan 1 , Mohammad Ahsan S. Mandra 1
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1 Universitas Negeri Makassar, South Sulawesi, INDONESIA2 Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, INDONESIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between Siri’ Na Pacce (SNP)-based virtual reality (VR) science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) projects and students’ perceived environmental knowledge (EK), ecological awareness (EA), and environmental care attitudes (ECAs) in science learning. The study was motivated by the need for environmental learning innovations that integrate immersive technology, hands-on STEM projects, and culturally meaningful values. A quantitative post-intervention survey design was employed involving 471 undergraduate students who participated in an eleven-week SNP-based VR-STEM project focusing on volcanic eruptions as an environmental and disaster-related science topic. Data were collected using a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results indicated significant positive relationships between students’ perceptions of the SNP-based VR-STEM project and EK, EA, and ECAs. The model explained 30.0% of the variance in EK, 44.9% in EA, and 64.2% in ECAs. EK was significantly associated with EA and ECAs, while EA was also significantly associated with ECAs. Mediation analysis further showed significant indirect relationships through EK, EA, and their sequential pathway. These findings suggest that culturally grounded immersive STEM learning is associated with ECAs through interconnected cognitive, affective, and attitudinal processes. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the potential value of integrating VR-STEM learning with SNP values of dignity, responsibility, empathy, and solidarity in environmental and disaster-related science learning.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 22, Issue 10, October 2026, Article No: em2925

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/19397

Publication date: 25 Sep 2026

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