3rd KLESF Mentor Development Programme

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



Wholly owned by UTAR Education Foundation (200201010564(578227-M))        LEGAL STATEMENT   TERM OF USAGE   PRIVACY NOTICE