Symposium on Science Education

Prof Ewe (fourth from left) with Dato’ Sri Haji Khairil (in grey), Dato’ Dr Noraini (center) and SoSE Chairperson, Winnie Er (fifth from right), along with presenters

The 2^nd Symposium on Science Education (SoSE) 2015 welcomed 200 stakeholders and educators from national, private and international schools as well as higher learning institutions held at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 5 September 2015.

Themed “Broadening the Horizon of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education”, it aimed to share innovative and effective teaching methods in STEM education, create awareness of adopting modern and innovative teaching methods of STEM subjects and provide networking opportunities for STEM educators from various schools, colleges and universities.

Dato’ Sri Haji Khairil stressing the importance of STEM education

“As all of us are aware, there is a steady decline in enrolment of students for STEM subjects and this is indeed a cause for concern. The world is increasingly defined by the advancement of science and technology and there is a need to arrest this steady decline,” said, Deputy Director-General of Education (Policy and Education Development Sector), Ministry of Education Malaysia YBhg Dato’ Sri Haji Khairil bin Haji Awang.

“Through the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF)’s efforts, we hope to address the declining rate of interest among children in STEM education. It also supports the "Science to Action (S2A)" initiative launched by the Prime Minister on 1 November 2013,” said UTAR Vice President of Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat.

Taylor’s University eLA & InTeLLeCT Associate Director, Lim Chee Leong on the benefits of e-learning

Award winners of the National Academic Award, Malaysian Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) and Guru Cemerlang MARA Junior Science College (MRSM), shared their thoughts and ideas on innovative and effective teaching methods for STEM subjects. Also, there was a hands-on workshop on developing high-order thinking skills and methods to motivate young learners to take interest in STEM subjects.

Sasbadi Learning Solutions’ Tengku Hazrul Tengku Haizar demonstrating Lego robotics

“When students are able to apply and relate the knowledge learnt in their daily lives and for creative innovation, these subjects will become exceptionally intriguing and fun. Educators must be aware that young learners learn best through hands-on experience as it creates curiosity and interest in learning,” said Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Professor Dato’ Dr Noraini binti Idris representing the National Council of Professors.

Dato’ Dr Noraini urging educators to adopt creativity in teaching

SoSE is a prelude of the KLESF 2015 and will be held from 30 October to 1 November 2015 at the MINES International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Jalan Dulang, MINES Resort City, Seri Kembangan, Selangor. This year, KLESF targets to attract 100,000 visitors from urban and sub-urban schoolchildren, primary and secondary school teachers, to educators, parents and the public.

This symposium is organized by UTAR Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT), National Council of Professors and KLESF, sponsored by Ministry of Education Malaysia, Toray Group (Malaysia), SASBADI and GTI Media.