Raising Public Awareness of the Benefits of Palm Oil: Tackling Negative Campaigns Starting with Elementary School Students

Elementary school students' lack of understanding of the benefits of the palm oil industry and numerous negative campaigns. The urgency of researching how to increase students' awareness and knowledge of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of palm oil. The aim is to identify effective strategies in increasing understanding and positive perceptions of the palm oil industry. The research approach is quantitative, survey type. The sample amounted to 240 sixth grade students who were randomly selected. The data collection technique was a questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed, validated by measuring students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions with a Likert scale. The data analysis technique used descriptive statistics with the help of SPSS Version 29.0. The results found a significant increase in students' knowledge and positive values after implementing educational strategies with field trips, explanations of benefits and group discussions. Explaining the benefits of the palm oil industry to students with the help of media can reduce negative impressions. In conclusion, the integration of palm oil material into the school curriculum significantly helps students understand the benefits of the palm oil industry. The implications of this research have an impact on the younger generation in the future.