Optimization of local wisdom by the ethno-pedagogy approach to provide the pre-service teachers teaching effectiveness is needed. Indonesia has, moreover, 250 cultures that can use as an education tool. This research aimed to describe the ability of primary pre-service teachers in developing ethno-pedagogy oriented science teaching materials. This research used a quantitative and content analysis technique, data obtained based on the pre- and post-survey survey, science teaching materials analysis, and interview results. The participants of this study are pre-service teachers as many as 62 persons at Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) and Institute Sunan Giri Ponorogo (INSURI) East Java, Indonesia. The content analysis of the science teaching materials shows that pre-service teachers have mind construction and alteration to accept new knowledge and strategy in teaching science by adjusting to their own culture. The survey results indicated that the ethno-pedagogy gave preliminary experience with the pre-survey has a higher score rather than the post-survey. Based on the interview analysis, pre-service teachers feel indecisive because of excited gaining new approaches and overwhelming pour their ideas into science teaching. The research also revealed that the pre-service teachers did not have an ethno-pedagogy course in their first course, and there was a limitation of adequate resources and other academic facilities. Overall, the results suggest that ethno-pedagogy plays an essential role in the development of pre-service teachers’ competency.