UTAR-led STEM projects a hit at KLESF 2014

Young learners observing an experiment at the lab

To support the reach of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) education to the community at large, UTAR has jointly collaborated with ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET), the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and The National Science Centre (NSC) under the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), to organise the inaugural Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) 2014 which brings together more schools, educators, public and private sector to share information, experiences and good practices in STEM education.

The inaugural KLESF 2014 which aimed primarily to ignite the interests in STEM especially among school children was held from 25 - 27 April 2014 at the Pusat Sains Negara in Kuala Lumpur. With free admission to the public, the fair saw the well-received displays of the engineering science projects from the participating schools under the UTAR School Engineering and Science Design Mentorship Programme (SESDMP) and the Science Hands-on Demos & Experiments (SHDEs) led by UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) PJ campus. The other activities at the Fair were the displays of the award-winning STEM projects of schools namely SMK UJ 13 ( Subang Jaya, Selangor), SMK USJ 4 (Subang Jaya, Selangor),SMK Sains Hulu Selangor (Batang Kali, Selangor) and Yuk Chai team Robowis (Petaling Jaya, Selangor),the STEM projects of industry exhibitors, mental literacy talks, posters and videos. Adding to the fun and enjoyment of KLESF 2014 were the science of magic, quizzes and even lucky draws.

Students at the KLESF2014

UTAR Biology assistant lecturer, CFS-PJ, Ms Nicole Ngai Suet Loo remarked that response to the SHDEs conducted at the laboratories was overwhelming. The crowd continued to stream in to the laboratories even during the lunch breaks.The SHDES attracted not only students but parents, toddlers and families like the Lim siblings; Lim Jing Ren, Lim Yue Ying and Lim Xin Ying who elbowed each other for a chance to do the chlorophyll experiments. Their beaming mother Madam Yau Siew Lee remarked that her children truly enjoyed the 'hand-on' experiments. Such a case exemplified the joy of learning and discovery that resonated throughout the 3-day fair.

Thumbs-up for UTAR Foundation in science student volunteers with Ms Nicole Ngai Suet Loo (in black dress)

Another popular SHDE was the mathematical "Tower of Hanoi" and binary numbers which captivated students who came from different schools located nationwide and some examples are from the northern state of Kedah; SMK Taman Sejahtera, Bukit Mertajam, Perak; SMK Jelai, Taiping,KL/PJ; SJKC Lick Hung in Subang Jaya, Sri Damesh School in Brickfields, SK (ASLI) Bukit Kemandol in Banting, Melaka; SMK Seri Tanjung to the southern state of Johor; Maktab Rendah Sains Mara, Batu Pahat.

From L to R; Assoc Prof Dr Irmawati Ramli, Prof Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik, Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, Ir Choo Kok Beng, YB Dato' Seri Idris Bin Jusoh, YBhg Emeritus Prof Dato' Sri Dr Zakri Abdul and Datuk Hong Lee Pee with the Officiating KLESF2014 banner

The Minister of Education II YB Dato' Seri Idris Bin Jusoh officiated KLESF 2014 at the Atrium of PSN on 26 April 2014 with a launch gambit of releasing a giant-sized 'KLESF2014' balloon banner followed by the Robot Nao's dance. The Minister of Education II was accompanied at the officiating by Prime Minister's Science Adviser, the KLESF Steering Committee comprising Chairman Datuk Ir Hong Lee Pee, the Joint Chairman Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, the past president of IEM Ir Choo Kok Beng, the Director of PSN and UTAR representatives; UTAR President Prof Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik and Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Lee Sze Wei.

In his inspiring speech, the Education Minister acknowledged the support of KLESF 2014 Committee and added that the need to drive interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among school children is criticial in building up future talent to drive national development.

The Minister of Education II delivering his speech at the officiating of KLESF 2014

The crowd at the Atrium during the launch

Expressing confidence that KLESF will be an annual event in the educational landscape, Datuk Hong in his welcome speech said," KLESF 2014 was initiated with the objectives of organising activities which can enrich the experiences of students in STEM learning and complementing the school STEM curriculum." Meanwhile Dr Sulaiman in his speech encouraged students to pursue their interest in STEM subjects through discovery and learning. KLESF 2014 is a program unde the Government Science to Action (S2A) initiative to increase society's understanding of the importance of STEM.

The SESDMP participating schools from Kampar namely, SMJK Pei Yuan, SMK Methodist (ACS), Sekolah Menengah Pei Yuan and Westlake International School showcased their wining entries of the Robo Olympics 2014 such as robotic Walkie Doggies and Floor-Turtle. Whereas the SESDMP participating schools in KL namely Kuen Cheng High, SMK Taman Melati and SMK Kepong displayed projects like bacteria culture from yoghut, DX anti-polluntant rainmaker device, wireloop game and the electric glove for self-defence.

Attracting an estimated total over 30,000 visitors which included school students from more than 100 schools in the country, educators, industry representatives and members of the public, the inaugural KLESF 2014 was a resounding success as it was well received by the parents, students, teachers,mentors, industry exhibitorsand others in the community.

Mrs Rajeswari Murukan who brought her two sons to KLESF 2014 nodded in approval as to positive effects of the fair in helping to stimulate her sons' curiousity towards scientific discoveries and inventions.

Azreen Syafiah Bte Roslee, Ainnursyanida bte Muhamad Nizam and Nuraaela Bte Nordin who are form two science students from Maktab Rendah Sains Mara, Batu Pahat, all gushed with enthusiasm on the various hands-on experiments and the presence of industry tutor(s) to facilitate their understanding about 'kriptografi' at the Silverlake booth.

Cik Shida Yusof who is a science teacher from SMK,Seksyen 19, Shah Alam added the fair provided the opportunities for the students to gain a wider perspective on the "Whats and Hows" of STEM in shaping the world we live in.The science teacher from Kuen Chen High Chan Wooi Hou enthused that his students benefitted from the UTAR - SESDMP and they viewed KLESF 2014 as the treasure trove of discoveries and knowledge.

The representatives from the industry exhibitors for example both Dream Catcher Consulting Sdn Bhd Account Manager Siti Aishah Mohd Esa and the Marketing Manager from National Instruments Erdawaty Bt Suhaili praised the KLESF 2014 as a landmark initiative to provide the much-needed networking between industry and academia to foster learning and career development in STEM - related areas.

Group discussions at the McDec booth

KLESF 2014 attracted the support of sponsors including UEM Group Bhd, Muhibbah Engineering Sdn Bhd, Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCCIM), Digital Malaysia,Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Indocafe, Cytron Technologies Sdn Bhd,MBO Cinemas, Phisontech Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Corpacer Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Polis Diraja and Pizza Hut Resturants Sdn Bhd.

The corporations which set up booths at KLESF 2014 were Cytron Technologies Sdn Bhd, Dassault Aviation, Dreamcatcher/Freescale/Toshiba,Dreamedge Sdn Bhd, EDU360,Funcel Sdn Bhd, Iwitness Sdn Bhd, Makersone Sdn Bhd, Malaysia Invention and Design Society, Multimedia Development Corporation (Mdec), National Instruments, Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM), Silverlake group, Spirit Aerosystems (M) Sdn Bhd,Stevianas Corporation Sdn Bhd, The Institution of Engineers Malaysia, Young Engineers Section, The Malaysia Mensa Society, Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia (UKM), Univerisiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

Madam Yau Siew Lee (3rd from left) togther with her children (from left to right); Lim Yue Ying, Lim Xin Ying and Lim Jing Ren observing a science experiment