Third-semester students of the Undergraduate Science Education Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), participated in a Practitioner Lecture for the Laboratory Management and Techniques course on Monday, September 21, 2026. The session was conducted online via Zoom from 1:40 to 3:20 p.m. and was attended by all third-semester students of the Undergraduate Science Education Program. The practitioner lecture featured Mochammad Ikhsan Pahlawan, S.Pd., also known as Pak Mochi, from Pudak Scientific Bandung, as the guest speaker. He delivered a session entitled “Microscope Maintenance,” providing students with practical knowledge and experience related to microscope use, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

During the session, students learned about different types of microscopes and microscope lenses, proper microscope storage, and routine cleaning techniques for both microscope lenses and bodies. The discussion went beyond basic maintenance procedures by addressing several common problems that may occur during microscope use. The speaker specifically discussed problems such as blurred or unclear views, black spots in the field of view, a specimen stage that moves downward by itself, stiff or difficult-to-turn coarse and fine focus knobs, and microscope lights that become dim, flicker, or fail to turn on. Through these examples, students gained practical insights into how to identify and perform initial troubleshooting for common microscope problems.

The activity provided students with an opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge from the course with practical situations encountered in laboratory management. Learning directly from a practitioner also enabled students to gain insights into the technical aspects of laboratory equipment maintenance and the importance of proper equipment care. The Laboratory Management and Techniques course is taught by Dr. Ismail Fikri Natadiwijaya, S.Si., M.Pd., Dr. Maryati, M.Pd., and Rita Bekti Utami, M.Pd. The involvement of practitioners from the professional sector enriches students’ learning experiences by providing perspectives on real-world laboratory practices.

One of the participants expressed that the practitioner lecture provided valuable new knowledge and experiences regarding effective, safe, and procedure-based laboratory management. The session also strengthened students’ understanding of occupational safety, proper use of laboratory equipment and materials, and their responsibility for maintaining laboratory facilities. “The practitioner lecture helped us better understand laboratory conditions and management in real-life settings. We hope that activities like this can continue because the knowledge and experience gained will be useful both in our university studies and in our future roles as educators.” Through this activity, students are expected to develop not only theoretical understanding but also practical skills in maintaining and handling laboratory equipment, particularly microscopes. The practitioner lecture thus contributes to preparing future science educators who are technically competent, safety-conscious, and responsible in managing science laboratories.