Traditional Health And Human Physiology IDU
By Mr. McGuire, MYP Science Teacher, MYP Coordinator
In the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP), students are encouraged to see connections between subjects rather than viewing subject knowledge as separate and unrelated. One of the most powerful ways this happens is through Interdisciplinary Units (IDUs), where two or more subject areas come together to explore a shared concept or real-world issue. In an IDU, students don’t simply complete parallel tasks; they integrate knowledge and perspectives to create a deeper understanding.
As part of our Traditional Health and Human Physiology IDU, MYP 4/5 students explored the relationship between traditional medicine, human physiology, and modern healthcare through a series of immersive field trips. We visited a local Dukun Patah (traditional bone healer), experienced an Oukup (herbal therapeutic sauna), and toured Socfindo’s Medicinal Gardens (Taman Tanaman Obat Keluarga).
At the Dukun Patah’s clinic, students observed patient rounds and learned how this practice has been passed down through generations. The healer explained which injuries can be treated traditionally and which require hospital referral. In our conversations with patients, we learned that treatments can go on for months, but they felt they were preferable to hospital treatments, where they felt the healing wouldn’t be as strong. The most common cause of injuries at the clinic was collisions between motorcycles and larger vehicles. Minyak Karo (traditional Karonese medicinal oil) was used in all treatments, and before leaving the clinic, its preparation was demonstrated for us.
At the Oukup, students explored the herbal foundations of steam therapy. After examining and grinding ingredients such as ginger, lengkuas, and kunyit, they saw how the mixtures were heated to produce thick, fragrant steam for individual sauna rooms. Some students bravely tried the experience themselves, gaining firsthand insight into how heat, circulation, and plant-based compounds are believed to support well-being.
Our visit to Socfindo’s medicinal gardens highlighted the extensive use of plants in traditional healing. Guides introduced us to a wide range of medicinal species and their applications. Students even had the opportunity to prepare their own kombucha, which we brought back to MIS to complete the fermentation process, and finally do a taste test.
The unit culminated in a collaborative presentation and individual reflection. Students developed original case studies involving an ill or injured individual and researched treatment options from both traditional and modern perspectives. Drawing on their understanding of human physiology, they explained not only what each treatment involved, but why it would be expected to work. Students presented the traditional treatment in Indonesian and the modern treatment in English, before defending their choice of the most appropriate treatment for their case. In most cases, students felt that a hybrid of the two treatment styles was most appropriate.
Through this experience, students gained a richer understanding of how culture, science, language, and health intersect, bringing interdisciplinary learning to life.
