Mind Mapping in Science Learning: Deepening Understanding of the Human Digestive System

This study aims to examine the effect of the Mind Mapping method on the understanding of the Human Digestive System concept among fifth-grade students at Public Elementary School 79 Ambon. The students' understanding of science concepts at this school is low due to the selection of ineffective methods. For this reason, the mind mapping method was chosen because it is effective in enhancing students' conceptual understanding, memory, and active engagement. The research employed a proper experimental design, specifically a pretest-posttest control group type. The sample in this study consisted of 33 respondents, with random sampling used as the sampling technique. The main instrument was a short essay test to measure seven indicators of concept understanding. The data were analyzed using the ANCOVA test, and the results showed that the mind mapping method was much more effective. The average post-test score of the experimental group (65.33) was significantly higher than that of the control group (36.50). The ANCOVA test results proved that 0.001 < 0.05. The most significant improvement was observed in higher-order thinking skills, including comparing and summarizing. Thus, mind mapping has a significant and superior effect compared to conventional methods, as it effectively helps students organize, connect, and visualize information more efficiently.