INFO TEMPO - Today, 21,000 students from 63 public and private high schools across Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Gresik unveiled innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) solutions designed to reduce carbon emissions in daily life. The prototypes were presented at a showcase event at Balai Pemuda, Surabaya, on Thursday, December 19, 2025.
Designed by GenEd and launched together with the East Java Education Board, the Generator challenge aims to instill an innovative mindset through Design Thinking principles. Recognizing the increasing vulnerability of Indonesian communities to climate impacts, the program equips the next generation with the necessary skills to mitigate and solve this global crisis.
"This program goes beyond the future challenge of cultivating an innovative workforce," said Anggaris Anggia, CEO of GenEd. "It empowers students to act immediately as agents of change, addressing climate issues that are already impacting our lives."
Now in its third year, the Generator program has engaged over 59,000 youths since 2023 across Bandung, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Gresik. Over a four-month period, students underwent comprehensive training to analyze problems from multiple perspectives, explore diverse ideations, and validate market fit before formulating STEM-based decarbonization solutions. The methodology aims to establish a new benchmark for project-based learning in Indonesian schools.
"We have observed a tangible impact on the students, specifically a significant improvement in effective communication, self-confidence, and stronger peer collaboration," noted Muhammad Syaifuddin, Coordinator Teacher at SMAN 1 Porong.
Innovations featured at the exhibition included high-efficiency alternative charging solutions, smart automation systems for municipal offices that optimize cooling and lighting based on behavioral patterns, and organic waste-sorting robots designed to catalyze the transition to biogas.
Adrien Dyamantha, CBO of GenEd, commented, "Student engagement was exceptional, largely because we challenged them to step out of their comfort zones and provide pathways to solve global problems within the specific context of their local environments."
In addition to student training, GenEd—which holds a proven track record in improving literacy rates—delivered advanced literacy pedagogy training to educators. This initiative assists teachers in innovating their instructional methods to effectively enhance students' critical thinking, information processing, and synthesis skills.
About GenEd
PT Generasi Edukator Indonesia (GenEd) is a social enterprise dedicated to empowering teachers and students with essential future-ready skills, including information literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. Since 2022, GenEd has developed specialized programs reaching over 59,000 students, 2,800 teachers, and 513 elementary and secondary schools across Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Gresik.
For more information, visit gened.info. (*)
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