Faculty members from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB University conducted a community service program titled “Dosen Pulang Kampung” on Saturday, October 18, 2025, selecting SMKN 1 Madiun as the primary location for the activity. The team consisted of four lecturers, namely Dr. Agus Kartono, Dr. Setyanto Tri Wahyudi, Rima Fitria Adiati M.T, and Dr. Sitti Yani, as well as two laboratory assistants, Rohul Rizki Mubaroq Hartman, S.Si. and Setiawan Nur Fajri, S.Si. This initiative is a concrete manifestation of the Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi, particularly community service, which aims to transfer the latest science and technology directly to schools in the region. The main focus of this activity is on the application of modern physics, namely the Application of Accelerometer Sensors on Smartphones for Innovation in Learning Newton’s Second Law and Kinetic Friction. This visit was not only a gathering for lecturers from Madiun, but also a strategic effort to strengthen science and technology literacy among vocational high school (SMK) students, particularly in the context of using smartphones and microelectromechanical devices as simple measuring tools to determine the coefficient of kinetic friction.

In its implementation, the IPB University team held a series of highly interactive workshops and practical sessions. Lecturers explained how the accelerometer sensors in every smartphone can be used as effective and inexpensive portable laboratory tools for conducting complex physics experiments at the beginning of the activity. Students were invited to measure acceleration and kinetic friction directly, connecting abstract physics concepts with real data they collected themselves. The students’ enthusiasm was evident as they actively discussed and tried various simulations. This activity successfully bridged the gap between physics theory in textbooks and its application in the real world, and showed that learning innovation can be achieved by utilizing technology that is familiar to the younger generation. In addition, teachers also participated and were active in the discussion, including Suharto (Acting Principal), Andriana Pujiastuti (Deputy Head of Curriculum), Dhiyana Yuliawati, Suwad Supiarso (Deputy Head of Student Affairs), Iksanudin Haryono (Deputy Head of Public Relations), Urip Setiawan (Deputy Head of Facilities and Equipment), and Pangestu Diah.

“The students were very interested and enthusiastic about the activities, which increased their knowledge of physics,” said Mr. Iksanudin Haryono, Deputy Head of Public Relations at SMKN 1 Madiun. He also hoped that this activity would be a good start to the collaboration between SMKN 1 Madiun and IPB University.

This community service activity left a deep positive impression on SMK N 1 Madiun. The school welcomed IPB University’s initiative and hoped that similar collaborations, especially in the context of strengthening technology-based learning and innovation, would continue. This program has proven that collaboration between universities and vocational schools is crucial in preparing graduates who are not only skilled but also have a strong foundation in science and an awareness of the importance of innovation. (sya)