Thirty
eight science discipline teachers participated in the 3rd Kuala
Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) Mentor Development Programme which
was held at MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
on 17 and 18 April 2015.
The
Mentor Development Programme is a sub-programme of KLESF, jointly organized
by UTAR along with ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology, Malaysian
Industry Government Group for High Technology, The Institution of Engineers
Malaysia, and the National Science Centre. The programme encourages
teachers, parents, and interested members of the public to mentor school
students in hands-on projects involving STEM subjects, with the aim of
raising interest for STEM learning and future career development.
During
the opening ceremony, UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof
Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei in highlighting the significance of the programme
explained that “students can be better guided and encouraged to pursue STEM
education and career if they are more exposed to learning STEM through
alternative means like hands-on experiments and design projects. Who if not
the teachers are best as mentors for students in such activities. Through
this programme we hope to help teachers to be more prepared for such a
purpose.” KLESF Steering Committee Chairman Datuk Hong Lee Pee was also
present at the opening ceremony.
Facilitators hailing from UTAR’s Faculty of Science and the Centre for
Foundation Studies-PJ Campus conducted the two-day workshops with partners
from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), providing teachers with
guidance, content, and resources needed to establish school mentorship
programmes.
There
were three tracks offered for the workshop which were Biology, Chemistry and
Physics. Participants comprised of secondary school teachers from Sekolah
Menengah Kebangsaan and MRSM. Eight opted for the Chemistry track, 12
partook in the Biology track, and 18 joined the Physics track.
Activities that took place were experiments on the use of natural dyes,
demonstration of alcohol fermentation and cheese making, introduction to
emulsion in French dressing, DNA extraction projects and simple Physics
demonstrations using light and water along with brainstorming and experience
sharing sessions.
At the
end of the workshop, email listings of facilitators and participants were
compiled and distributed via email to all to assist networking and
follow-ups when participants embarked on their mentorship programmes.
Participants were also informed by the Steering Committee that KLESF may
partially support the costs of their hands-on projects if proposals were
submitted.
Welcome address by Ir Academician Datuk Hong Lee Pee, Chairman of Steering
Committee on KLESF
Teachers in Biology track trying out hands-on science experiments
Session on hands-on experiments in Chemistry track
Session on hands-on experiments in Physics track
Group
photo of participants of 3rd KMD Programme
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