Scientific content analysis of batik Cirebon and its potential for high school STEM-approached project-based instruction

Abstract The most likely STEM approach to be implemented in our curriculum is to embed social or cultural context on subject matter. Batik Cirebon is one of potential context to be used in STEM-approached chemistry instruction. Scientific content analysis of batik Cirebon is important to conduct for reconstructing the context so that it can be delivered properly to students. This study used Model of Educational Reconstruction design and the data were collected through literature studies of batik Cirebon and direct observation of batik craftsmen. The analysis of batik Cirebon scientific content structure was run based on hermeneutic-analytical method. The results of this study indicate that scientific perspective of batik Cirebon is related to many high school chemistry concepts: aromatic derivatives and polymer; electromagnetic radiation; chemical bonds; acid-base; redox and stoichiometry. The results of this study can be used for further research on the development of teaching materials and project-based learning using the embedded STEM approach using the batik Cirebon as a context.