Integrating Local Culture into Biology E-Module: The Perceptions of Teachers and Students

Integrating local culture into science education is a strategic effort to enhance the relevance of learning to students' lives while fostering appreciation for regional heritage. In the context of biology education, incorporating culturally-rooted examples can make abstract concepts more tangible and relatable. This study investigates teachers’ and students’ perceptions of a digital biology e-module integrating golok tarisi local heritage within an Ethno-STEAM approach supported by Augmented Reality (AR). The module connects biodiversity, ecology, and sustainable resource use concepts with cultural practices. This research employed a mixed-method (qualitative–quantitative descriptive) design involving 16 biology teachers and 60 eleventh-grade students selected purposively. Data were collected through Likert-scale questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and classroom observations, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results show highly positive perceptions. A total of 87% of teachers considered the e-module highly relevant, and 82% found it easy to use. Among students, 85% reported increased engagement and 78% higher learning motivation. The e-module