Kuala Lumpur Engineering and Science Fair (KLESF): The Fair 2018 set another comeback at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) from 2 to 4 November 2018 with the aim to encourage school students, particularly the primary and secondary school students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects through various programmes and activities.
From left: Datuk Mohd Yusoff, Prof Chuah, Datin Paduka Ir Dr Siti Hamisah, Tan Sri Ir Ahmad Tajuddin, Prof Lee and Ir Ellias Saidin at the opening ceremony of the KLESF: The Fair 2018
Present at the opening ceremony of KLESF: The Fair 2018 were Higher Education Department Director-general Datin Paduka Ir Dr Siti Hamisah binti Tapsir; Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) Chairman and UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik; KLESF Steering Committee Ir Academician Datuk Hong Lee Pee, Datuk Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, Dr Raslan Ahmad, Academician Prof Dr Ho Chee Cheong and Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abdul Rahman; Chairman of MIGHT Academician Tan Sri Dr Ir Ahmad Tajuddin Ali, UTAR President and President of AAET Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik; Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Chief Officer of Communications And Digital Ecosystem Sector Dato’ Mohd Ali Hanafiah Mohd Yunus; Malaysia Nuclear Agency Director-general Dr Mohd Abdul Wahab; IEM Vice President Ir Ellias Saidin and Malaysia Nuclear Power Corporation Acting CEO Azlina Mohammad Jais.
Datuk Hong welcoming the crowd
At the opening ceremony, Datuk Hong said, “Since the first KLESF, commenced in 2014, we are still driven by the same authentic objective of promoting interest in STEM education among the young and youths in general, including the public. KLESF has been actively organising activities throughout the year. These programmes are part of our effort to promote children’s interests in STEM education, to train the educators, and to raise the awareness of the public on the importance of STEM in socio-economic well-being and sustainable development. These include Mentor Development and Mentorship Programme for Hands-on projects, Mobile Workshops, Mini Workshops and School STEM Talks.”
Tan Sri Ahmad Tajuddin delivering his speech
In his speech, Tan Sri Ahmad Tajuddin said, “We should realise how important science is, not only for driving economic growth, but in our day to day lives. Through the knowledge of science, you can create wonderful things. The knowledge of science and the ability to apply it innovatively is what shape the revolution of such creations.” He added, “Technology revolution and its improvement will make our lives better, enabling us to commute faster, communicate with more people; where distance is no longer an issue and allow us to be more productive; something that was not possible in the earlier years.”
Datin Paduka Siti Hamisah speaking about the importance of STEM
Datin Paduka Siti Hamisah said, “A good grasp of scientific concepts is very much needed, especially amongst the younger generation. It is with great hope that this wonderful collaboration will continue to make an impact in opening up our minds on the importance of embracing science, technology, engineering and math, and for us to intensify our efforts to become technology developers and creators instead of being just the users that we are now. I would like to call upon other technology-based companies and industries to participate in future KLESF activities, not only as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort, but as an investment for the future, endearing the students to technology and engineering as a preparation for them to become the future talents for the industry and country,” as she greeted the crowd.
The fair saw the participation of more than 60,000 visitors this year. In addition to participants from local schools, universities and organisations, the fair also welcomed international participants from ASEAN and other Asian economies including China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand.
“It is my third time joining the KLESF. I came every year because KLESF is a truly impressive and interesting event. This year I brought my daughter along and I can see that she is excited and curious to try out everything. Usually, she gains knowledge about STEM in the classroom through textbooks, however today, she was able to see and experience how science really works,” said Koh See Chin, mother of a six-year-old daughter.
Uzma Samsuldin at her booth
“We aim to promote IoT programmes, robotic education and coding to primary students. Parking Challenge helps participants to learn coding and programming skills, Soccer Challenge teaches free play skills, and Bot Challenge teaches participants on how to design creatively. And all these involve soft skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving. We hope to join KLESF again and we wish to introduce more depth of STEM to students through our programme,” said Emsdee Innovations Head of Business & Development Uzma Samsuldin.
“Our objective is to promote and make an exposure about STEM education. It is important for 21st century children. KLESF provides a great avenue not only for students but also teachers and parents to learn and appreciate the knowledge of science through fun and exciting ways,” said World of Robotics Sdn Bhd Project Manager Erik Teoh.
“We are here to seek experience in the field of Science. I believe we need to cultivate the interest of STEM among children while they are still young. We are excited to learn from the different booths and workshops and hope that KLESF will be held annually,” said Puan Nurul, a parent from Hulu Selangor.
From left: Chieng, Ronald Hu, Tammy Pian, Raymond Hu and Then Jun Lee
“There is a term known as ‘Learn for fun’. In KLESF, my students are able to learn new things while having fun at the same time. I think KLESF is a good initiative in promoting STEM education as STEM is closely related to our daily lives and I believe students should be exposed to STEM starting from a young age,” said Chieng Ley Fong, a teacher from SJK Thai Kwang, Sarawak.
From left: Doreen Tan, Alexander Bough, Eric Bough, Robert Bough Jr. and Robert Bough
Robert Bough, a parent said, “This is our first time participating in the KLESF and this is probably the best one we have been involved. Parents and children approached us to understand our project. Through KLESF, we learned a lot of interesting projects. My children get to see the broad view of Science and acquire new knowledge while having fun. The moment you learn and try to figure out STEM, the industries get better because there are so many inventions that you can do. I want them to come over to learn science and to open their mind to learn new things.”
From left: Szu Myat Mon, May Eindra Tet Toe and Yatanar Wint Maung
Bahan International Science Academy, Myanmar students Szu Myat Mon and May Eindra Tet Toe enthused, “STEM education is important in the field of industries because humans consistently develop new substances and this makes humans’ lives more convenient for living. Science is always developing, and this is just a part of it,” while explaining their project titled, “An Alternative Energy Preserving Pump Using Urea”.
Yatanar Wint Maung, a teacher from Bahan International Science Academy shared her opinions, “KLESF serves as a platform for children to be exposed to scientific innovation and technology which are very useful for the future. The robotics section caught my attention the most because it is very interesting. Next year, we would like to register for the robotics competition. I think KLESF should be held every year because it is a good opportunity for local and international students to participate to gain more knowledge and share ideas with other participants.”
From left: Given Geraint, Andrea Faith, Dawn Dompok and Cyprian Rian
St. Michael’s Secondary School, Penampang, Sabah Teacher Cyprian Rian said, “KLESF has given the students an opportunity to explore new things related to innovation, science, technology and engineering. At the same time, it allows students to gain and practise soft skills such as presentation skills, public speaking and interpersonal skills. Throughout these three days, I think my students have built their characters and have done a good research. They have the ability to do more scientific research not only in school but other STEM areas as well.”
S. Karthikan (left) and his teacher T. Panneerselvam
“I got the idea for my project by reading journals and books besides getting information from the Jabatan Pertanian. My teachers and parents have helped me as well. In KLESF, I learnt many things, ranging from robotics to different science technologies, which are useful in daily lives. My dream was to see the robot, and I have fulfilled my dream here in KLESF this year,” said S. Karthikan from SJK (T) Ladang Blue Valley, Pahang. The title of his project was “BIOGAS: Waste products As Renewable Energy”.
The Fair received active participation with booths from STEM-related industry corporations, more than 30 universities, non-government organisations and government organisations, and more than 280 schools, both local and international.
The KLESF: The Fair 2018 featured some highlights such as KLESF Challenge, a STEM international competition where students exhibited their original inventions and creations; National Science & Engineering Innovation Challenge, a competition organised by the Ministry of Education; RAC'18 Rero Annual Championship, a national level robotics and coding competition by Cytron Technologies Sdn Bhd; and the Third International Junior Chem-E Car Competition by IEM. More fun hands-on activities were found at the MCMC Pavilion where exhibitions and workshops related to MyMakers, IoT, digital lifestyle, track and trace, retail and payment, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, etc. were carried out. Besides that, there were UTAR hands-on experiments and the 14th Malaysia Festival of The Mind by the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement and many more offering the practical experience and applications of science and technology. The fair also saw STEM exhibitions and workshops by the industry and universities, school STEM projects, and Science of Magic performances.
Siti Suhana Abd Rahman and Ch’ng (right) delivering their talk
GreenRE Senior Assessor Siti Suhana Abd Rahman presented a talk titled, “Sustainable Living and Green Buildings” which focused on ways to transform for a greener lifestyle through waste management and the reduction of water and electricity. Malaysia Origami Academy Principal and Malaysia Origami Association Founding President Kenneth Ch’ng spoke about the history of origami, concepts of origami and the usage of origami knowledge in health and construction sector as he delivered his talk on “Pedagogy of Origami”.
Datin Paduka Siti Hamisah (second from right) taking a tour to ArtLink Integrated Network booth
Participants engaged in robot control at ‘Grand Sumo” booth
Students from Sekolah Menengah Islam Hira’ building robots at Rero Competition
Other programmes under KLESF such as KLESF Mentorship Programme (KMP), KLESF Mentor Development Programme (KMD), and Symposium on Science Education (SoSE) have given additional exposures to educators to be more effective and efficient in teaching STEM to children. Last year, the KLESF hosted the Asian Science Camp (ASC) for the first time in Malaysia at the UTAR Kampar Campus from 20 to 26 August 2017.
Seated from left: Datuk Hong, Tan Sri Ahmad Tajuddin, Datin Paduka Siti Hamisah, Tun Ling, Prof Chuah, Datuk Mohd Yusoff and Country Heights Holdings Bhd Founder and Chairman Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew with the crowd
Basketball reimagined in the 'Arcade Shooter'2
Robots in battle at the Grand Sumo Challenge
SMK Raja Lumu students bringing their drawing to life with 3D pen
Putting your electronic and electrical engineering skills to test
Play and learn with 'Smart Robot Albert'
Hitting the highscore in the shooting game
Challenge your fear of the deep blue sea through VR goggles
4x4 technology simulated on different terrain
KLESF: The Fair 2018 was sponsored by Platinum sponsor, Tenaga Nasional Berhad; Gold sponsors, Silverlake and Kuok Foundation; and Bronze sponsors, Edasu Hiromori Sdn Bhd and Brunsfield Engineering. Other sponsors include Pizza Hut Malaysia, redONE Network Sdn Bhd, Yayasan Science to Action, Fotorex and Infowhiz Solutions (M) Sdn Bhd. The KLESF Fair was supported by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia, Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (ACCCIM) and Institut Fizik Malaysia (IFM).
For more information, please visit www.klesf.net
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