Return to FSU is a full circle moment for Fulbright Visiting Scholar

Ever since she was a little girl, Ely Djulia Katmadihardja has been captivated by the power of science in solving real-world problems. Her natural curiosity and innovative disposition have propelled her to become a prominent leader in science education in her home country of Indonesia, and the Fulbright Visiting Scholar program has brought her to Florida State University once again. 

The Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program provides grants to approximately 850 foreign scholars from over 100 countries to conduct post-doctoral research at U.S. institutions from an academic semester to a full academic year. 

This fellowship represents a full circle moment for Djulia, who first began collaborating with the Learning Systems Institute at FSU in 2006 on a Decentralized Basic Education Project in Indonesia led by Jeffrey Milligan, former director of LSI. She played a crucial role in the project until its completion in 2011. A few years later, she visited FSU’s campus for the first time to discuss additional research opportunities in teacher education with Milligan. 

As a professor and researcher in biology education at Universitas Negeri Medan, Dr. Djulia teaches various undergraduate and graduate courses aimed at training future educators. Her courses range from teaching plant ecology to science education strategies and evaluations. 

In her research, Djulia has found that modern scientific knowledge tends to align with local indigenous wisdom. For example, traditional Indonesian houses built from wood and bamboo are highly resistant to earthquake damage due to their lightweight, flexible structure that efficiently absorbs and distributes seismic energy. Her extensive research findings on the interconnectedness of modern science and ancient cultural practices have inspired her to explore ways to bridge the gap between formal STEM education and cultural knowledge.   

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