Palm-Oil-Based Biodiesel in Indonesia: A Case Study on a Socioscientific Issue That Engages Students to Learn Chemistry and Its Impact on Society

Abstract

This paper presents a case study examining the current controversial issue of palm oil production for manufacturing biodiesel in Indonesia. The study looks at how this issue was used as a context to teach chemistry at the undergraduate level. The lesson unit promotes general educational skills, which students need to develop in order to become actively involved in societal discussions as scientifically literate and responsible citizens. The study presents students’ views on socioscientific issues-based chemistry education centered around palm-oil-based biodiesel in Indonesia. Most of the students (N = 74) considered the socioscientific issues-based pedagogy to be motivating, relevant, and encouraging for both learning chemistry concepts and preparing them for participation in societal debate.