Jakarta’s rapid urban development has contributed to increasingly complex environmental challenges, including rising temperatures, air pollution, and the Urban Heat Island phenomenon. Responding to these issues requires not only technological solutions but also a generation equipped with the scientific knowledge and environmental awareness to understand them.

To support this goal, Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM), together with its program partners, launched Jakarta Weather Detective, or U-DETECT Jakarta, at SMAN 48 Jakarta on 17 June 2026.

The program introduced students to climate science through an interactive, technology-based learning experience. Instead of studying environmental issues solely through textbooks, participants became “weather detectives” who directly observed, recorded, and analysed conditions in their own surroundings.

A total of 30 students participated in the program and were divided into 15 groups. They learned how Internet of Things-based weather sensors work and used the equipment to collect real-time temperature and humidity data around their homes and school.

Fifteen weather sensors were placed at the students’ homes, while another monitoring point was installed within the school grounds. This distributed monitoring system enabled the participants to collect more representative microclimate data from different locations.

Through a citizen-science approach, the students explored climate change, local weather patterns, and the Urban Heat Island phenomenon. They were involved throughout the investigation—from conducting observations and collecting data to interpreting environmental conditions and discussing what their findings could mean for Jakarta’s urban environment.

The monitoring activities also strengthened skills beyond scientific knowledge. Students worked collaboratively, examined evidence, communicated their observations, and presented their findings at the end of the program. The process was designed to build critical thinking, data-analysis, communication, and teamwork skills.

The program was implemented through collaboration between YIIM, PT Insight Investments Management, PT Inovasi Finansial Teknologi—known as Makmur—U-INSPIRE Indonesia, and SMAN 48 Jakarta. YIIM served as the program management partner, while U-INSPIRE Indonesia supported technical implementation.

During the launch, representatives of the participating organizations and school highlighted the importance of connecting education, technology, responsible investment, and environmental sustainability. U-INSPIRE Indonesia also presented certificates of appreciation to the collaborating organizations and handed over U-DETECT sensor equipment to SMAN 48 Jakarta to support continued environmental learning.

U-DETECT Jakarta demonstrates how experiential learning can make science and climate education more relevant to young people. By studying their immediate surroundings, students can connect global environmental issues with conditions they encounter in everyday life.

The initiative supports SDG 4 on Quality Education by expanding access to applied STEM learning. It contributes to SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities through community-based monitoring of urban environmental conditions, and to SDG 13 on Climate Action by strengthening climate literacy and youth participation.

The program’s collaborators hope that U-DETECT Jakarta can become a replicable model for other schools. Wider implementation could enable more students to participate in citizen science while contributing locally generated evidence to conversations about climate resilience and sustainable urban development.

Through U-DETECT Jakarta, students are positioned not only as learners, but also as young investigators capable of observing change, interpreting evidence, and contributing to a more climate-aware future.

Salam Inspirasi!