Research on ethnoscience-based student worksheets to strengthen 21st-Century skills: A systematic literature review

Abstract

21st-century science learning requires the development of critical thinking skills; however, students' mastery of these skills remains relatively low, making innovations such as Electronic Student Worksheet necessary. The integration of ethnoscience into Student Worksheet makes learning more relevant to local wisdom while supporting the development of 21st-century skills. This study analyzed articles discussing the role of ethnoscience-based Student Worksheet in strengthening 21st-century skills in science learning through five research questions. The study employed the PRISMA method using data from Google Scholar and Scopus, resulting in 32 articles published between 2020 and 2025. The articles were reviewed based on research trends, topic distribution, measurable outcomes, and implementation. The findings showed a marked increase in publications, peaking at 11 publications in 2025, accompanied by international collaboration that expanded citations and research impact. Research and Development was the dominant research design. Critical thinking skills were the most frequently studied outcome in 17 studies, followed by scientific literacy in 8 studies, while motivation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills were still rarely explored. Ethnoscience frequently incorporated local wisdom, such as traditional games, cultural practices, and food processing, which enhanced conceptual understanding, learning engagement, and 21st-century skills. Overall, ethnoscience-based Student Worksheet makes science learning more contextual and meaningful.