When beekeepers meet mathematics: A project for learning numeracy
Sri Intan Lina 1 , Rahmah Johar 1 * , Anwar 1
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1 Department of Mathematics Education, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Aceh, INDONESIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Integrating environmental issues into mathematics learning is a strategic way to strengthen contextual numeracy. However, students’ numeracy skills are often low and disconnected from real-world problems, such as the ecological role of honeybees. This study examines the effect of project-based learning (PjBL) with a honeybee conservation context on grade 7 students’ numeracy skill and knowledge about bees. A quasi-experimental design involved 122 students in two classes. Numeracy skill was assessed in both groups, while bee knowledge was measured only in the PjBL group using a one-group pre-/post-test design. Data were collected using numeracy tests and a bee-knowledge questionnaire with reliability scores of 0.66 and 0.65. Results indicated that the PjBL group experienced significantly greater gains in numeracy skills with mean scores increasing from 4.36 to 9.99, compared to 3.98 to 7.25 in the control group. The normalized gain (N-gain) of the experimental group (0.48, moderate) was significantly higher than the control group (0.28, low) (F = 16.304, p < 0.05). A significant interaction was also found between the learning model and students' initial ability levels on students' numeracy skills improvement (F = 2.238, p = 0.011), indicating that PjBL with a bee conservation context was particularly effective in improving the numeracy skills of students with low to moderate prior abilities. Furthermore, students’ knowledge about bees in the PjBL group improved significantly, with mean scores increases from 4.79 to 7.06 and an N-gain of 0.31 (moderate category). The findings indicate that integrating bee conservation projects into mathematics learning effectively enhances numeracy skills while fostering ecological awareness, supporting the implementation of sustainable development goal 15 (life on land).

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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

EUR J SUSTAIN DEV RES, Volume 10, Issue 4, 2026, Article No: em0422

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/19012

Publication date: 01 Oct 2026

Online publication date: 25 Jul 2026

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