UTAR
Faculty of Science participated in the Penang International Science Fair, an
annual event organised as part of the mission of 'inspiring Innovation' of
Penang Science Cluster that focuses on developing young minds and exposing
them to science and engineering through a unique, stimulating and innovative
experience.
Participated in the fair, which was held in Penang on 13 and 14 April 2013,
were two faculty members Centre for Bio-Diversity Research Chairman Dr Tee
Chong Siang and Asst Prof Dr Say Yee How, and six students Tan Si Nan, Yeoh
Ze Qing, Phuah Szu Ann, Mohd Zulfadhli Azizan, Foong Wei Hern and Ng Yee
Wen.
The
UTAR's booth exhibited life science materials such as plant tissue culture,
DNA extraction and gel electrophoresis, and virus models. Visitors,
mainly schoolchildren, were not only explained and shown how to culture
plant tissue in a controlled environment, extract DNA sample and perform
agarose gel electrophoresis, but also given the opportunity to perform them.
"The
exhibition was a platform to share knowledge especially with the children on
life science," said third-year Biotechnology student Foong Wei Hern, adding
that he was glad to see young children getting fascinated by the exhibits at
their booth. He added, "All of us have been well prepared by our
lecturers before we come to the exhibition."
At
UTAR's booth: Dr Tee (left picture, right) with students (from left) Mohd
Zulfadhli, Tan, Phuah, Yeoh (sitting), Foong (behind) and Ng; and Dr Say
with virus models (right picture)
Plant
tissue culture: UTAR students explaining about plant tissue culture and
(bottom right picture) a young visitor trying to culture a plant tissue
DNA
extraction: Visitor grinding onion tissue (top left), UTAR student
extracting DNA sample from grinded onion tissue (top right) and showing it
(bottom).
Gel
electrophoresis: Dr Say showing visitors how to use a micropipette (left)
and Student showing how to load a DNA sample into gel (right)
Curious visitors swamping UTAR's booth
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