KLESF2019: Arena for innovations and ideas in support of STEM education

Tun Ling placing a cube on the Persistence Of Vision (POV) display that resembles STEM to launch KLESF 2019 (from left): Prof Ewe, Prof Chuah, Datuk Hong, Tun Ling, Datuk Yusoff, Ir David Lai and Mr Gerard Lim

With the goal to encourage school students’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, the Kuala Lumpur Engineering and Science Fair (KLESF) staged another comeback at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC) from 1 to 3 November 2019.

Present at the opening ceremony of the KLESF 2019 were UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and his spouse Toh Puan Ena Ling, Co-Chairman of KLESF Steering Committee Datuk Ir Academician Hong Lee Pee, President & CEO of Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and Co-Chairman of KLESF Steering Committee Datuk Dr Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, President of ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET) Ir Academician Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik, President of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Ir David Lai Kong Phooi, President of Malaysian Invention & Design Society (MINDS) Academician Tan Sri Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Augustine Ong, President of Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) and KLESF Steering Committee Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Chief Digital Officer of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Gerard Lim Kim Meng, Vice President of Malaysian Nuclear Agency Datin Dr  Zuriati Zakaria, invited guests, partners, sponsors, schools, universities, participants and the public.

“The fair serves as a platform for schools to exhibit their projects and learn from each other. We are also glad that we have more than 400 schools taking part in the KLESF Challenge Contest this year. The contesting schools are not just from Malaysia but also from overseas such as China, Taiwan and ASEAN countries. This year we have more partners which have brought in various interesting STEM events to the fair, for example, the AI-based robot from Japan. We hope this would further enrich the students, parents, teachers and educators,” Datuk Hong said as he welcomed the participants.

       

Robot Band from Japan introduced robots that could play xylophone, drums and foretell future luck

Thanking everyone for the support and participation in KLESF 2019, Datuk Yusoff said in his opening remarks, “We have long been plagued by the glaring declination of student enrolment in the STEM subjects. This is largely due to the notion that STEM subjects are difficult. We should allow children to see the practical aspect of STEM and create interesting ways to teach it. KLESF is a programme that allows children to explore and enjoy learning. It teaches young people to come up with creative solutions via STEM. I hope that KLESF will not only inspire students but also teachers and parents to learn and appreciate the knowledge of STEM through fun and exciting ways.”

Tun Ling who was also the guest of honour for KLESF 2019 said, “An event such as this KLESF is truly unique for everyone. I am delighted to see young children with their families, school children with their bright, happy faces and youths with their enthusiastic outlook. Such spirit of enthusiasm and pride in what they do is really the essence that is needed to drive our youths who are the future leaders of this nation. As responsible citizens, we need to take efforts to ensure that we leave behind a sustainable legacy for the future generation. Therefore, I sincerely hope that our younger generation will take active initiatives to produce excellent ideas, solutions and innovative inventions for a better tomorrow.”

   

From left: Datuk Hong, Tun Ling and Datuk Yusoff delivering their speeches

Tun Ling and esteemed guests during the tour

The KLESF is a significant initiative which encompasses various programmes and activities with the aim to promote interest in STEM particularly among primary and secondary school students. The fair is open to the public, with free admission.

Aligned with its objective, the fair was first organised in 2014 by AAET, UTAR, MIGHT, and IEM. Since then, KLESF has been jointly organised every year by the same team. This year the team welcomed Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as a new co-organiser.

In addition to participants from local schools, universities and organisations, the fair also welcomed international participants from ASEAN and other Asian economies including Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.

Bird-eye view of the main hall of MIECC during KLESF 2019

This year’s fair is more interactive and fun with more interesting activities for parents, students and the public to familiarise themselves with STEM and its related activities. This Fair had active participation with booths from STEM-related industry corporations, more than 50 universities, non-government organisations and government organisations, and more than 400 schools, both local and international.

One of the major episodes at the three-day fair was the KLESF International Challenge 2019, a STEM international competition where more than 450 teams comprised of students from local and abroad exhibited their original inventions and creations to ease work and improve the environment. The competition was divided into primary school category and secondary school category. The Gold recipients received RM500 cash prize along with medals and certificates, the silver recipients received RM200 cash prize, medals and certificates, while the Bronze recipients received RM100 cash prize with medals and certificates.

One of the gold recipient teams from SJK (T) Ladang Batu Ampat, Selangor, came up with a project titled HYDROPIPER. They developed a green energy harvesting system from the school’s main water resource and proved that it was sufficient to light up the classrooms in their school. The team hopes their idea will benefit other schools in reducing air pollution and making the world green (front row, from left): S. Kayalvizhi, T. Kayalvilhi, and Togokula Vel with their teachers and UTAR Vice President of R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman (most right)

The team from Arrows Resource Center, Petaling Jaya were happy that their sleepless nights paid off when they scored gold for the secondary school category with their “Chef de Bot” project that aimed to overcome the problem of obesity and food wastage (from left): Jayden Lee Cheng En, Lim Wei Zhe and Tan Wen Liang

Complete with scrubs as their attire, SJK (C) Puay Chai 2, Selangor won gold in primary school category for their “Blood Sample Preparation (High Risk Disease)” project. From left: Lee Jun Hui, Lim Qi Yong and Tan Yenyi

“The competition was very interesting and challenging at the same time. Our project is very much related to the medical area and intends to stop disease outbreak that occurs when blood is drawn from the patient. We came up with the idea after visiting the hospital one day, and we took six months to complete the project,” said the team that joined KLESF 2019 for the first time.

 

Annaas Azzunnar Rahman from SMA Negeri 10 Samarinda, Indonesia found a method to detect the presence of plastic in cooking oil - a hazardous practice to preserve fried food. He found that the sap from the jackfruit tree (which is ample and cheap) is able to detect the presence of plastic in the cooking oil. Once the dried sap is dissolved into the oil, it will turn the cooking oil with plastics cloudy (left beaker)

Amor Jasmin Baltazar (middle) holding the sample of their activated carbon while Jairus Angelo Tanagon (left) and Jan Czarina Isis Paz (right) displays the Indian-almond fruits

Meanwhile, a team from Philippine Science High School Ilocos Region Campus found that the seed coating of Indian-almond fruit (Terminalia catappa) can be used as an alternative source to create activated carbon. Activated carbon is used to treat water by absorbing pollutants.

ROBO-TUTOR was invented to provide education to kids in rural areas without having the teacher to be there. The robot is equipped with the ability to conduct classes, interact and respond through quizzes as well as offering rewards to performing students. The ingenious robot is the ideas of a team from SK Dato’ Ahmad Manaf, Negeri Sembilan (from left): Haninda Aulia bt Mohd Hatta, Aisyah bt Rosfairwan, and Aufa Kashfiya bt Khairul Syakirin

Saving the environment, one straw at a time! A team from SMK Bintulu, Sarawak showing their prototypes of edible colourful straws that will last for four hours in cold beverages. The straw is produced using corn starch, gelatine and glycerine.

“The straw will not affect the taste, and it is slightly sweet due to the presence of glycerine,” said Megan Teo Ze Ting (right) with her teammates Jonathan Anak George (left) and Brenda Lau Leh Xuan (middle)

Looking like straight out of a science-fiction movie, ChefBot (Fully Automated Super Intelligent Chef Bot) by Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, Putrajaya is able to shorten up food preparation time by fifty percent. From left: Muhammad Hakim bin Irmie Yuhazni, Muhammad Nazheef bin Mohd Nadzaruddin, and Marrezz Hazwan bin Mohd Hanafiah

 

Macaroni with tomato sauce in preparation, the choices of the food and toppings can be selected using an app

Being disabled does not mean you are anything less than the rest. SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin, Sabah students with hearing impairment showcasing their project

Participant from Traill International School, Thailand demonstrated the strength of fibre using sugarcane leaves. The fibre can be made into fashionable and useful bags

Participants from Philippines Science High School Main Campus, Philippines provided an idea to aid nurses in hospitals. From left: Sinead Dylan Vallester, Ma. Sofia Andrea Oliveros and Zeidrich Monares

“Nurses are required to give undivided attention to patients. However, insufficient number of healthcare workers has brought a negative consequence to the nurses in the medical field as their attentions are compromised. This would largely affect patients’ condition known as blood backflow in an intravenous infusion. Thus, our study aims to create a device that would detect blood backflow and notify the nurses,” explained the team.

National Science & Engineering Innovation Challenge (PISTEK 2019), a competition organised by the Ministry of Education; RAC'19 Rero Annual Championship, a national level robotics and coding competition by Cytron Technologies Sdn Bhd; and Land Rover 4x4 in Schools were also held in conjunction with KLESF 2019.

The first place for PISTEK 2019 was won by Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Perak. Haris Hazwan (second from left) and Aniq Fariz (third from left) from the all-boys school came out with a method to tackle microplastic problem that is not only dangerous to sea life upon ingestion but also humans as it invades the food chain without being noticed due to the size. The method uses electromagnet to positively charge the microplastic and attract them using negative terminal.

The Ministry of Education will also list down selected projects from PISTEK 2019 to represent Malaysia in the International Science and Engineering Fair 2020 in California, USA. “PISTEK provides an opportunity for students to use their Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) while at the same time churn their minds to come up with various strategies for their research. Indeed, we need this set of skills because innovation in science and engineering will help to increase our nation’s productivity thus creating a wider prospect for investment and job opportunity for future generation. I hope the wish of the government to produce a generation that is not only expert and skilful but also knowledgeable, innovative, dynamic and able to compete in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 era can be realised,” said Deputy Director of Sports Excellency and Development, Sports and Arts from Division of Sports, Co-curriculum and Arts Ministry of Education Razuki bin A. Rahim during his closing speech.

   

PISTEK 2019 participants presenting their projects to judges

 

Champion of PISTEK 2019, Haris Hazwan (second from left) and Aniq Fariz (third from left) with their teachers Mohd Khalid Ali (left) and Mohd Khaidair Yusof (right)

Aniq Fariz and Haris Hazwan with their winning prototype (photo credit to JPN Perak)

After conquering challenging tracks and obstacles, the team from SMK Seksyen 9, Shah Alam was overwhelmed with joy when they were announced as the champion of Land Rover 4x4 in Schools. The 2018 first runner-up had put their best foot forward to ensure they secured champion this year. “We took every single problem and we try to improve as much as possible. Last weekend we slept for three hours a day and stayed late at school. We are glad it paid off in the end. We made sure that our car fits the competition well, on track as well as verbal presentation,” told team member Azril Shafiq. Another team member Afiq Zikri added, “We appreciate our sponsor for providing a significant amount of modal, to begin with. They are one of the main factors of our success as well as our teachers.” The winning team will be joining Land Rover 4x4 in Schools on international level with sponsored accommodation and waived entry fee.

The proud team from SMK Seksyen 9, Shah Alam also won Best Engineering Category. From left: Nur Qaisara Batrisyia, Seri Hadirah, Sara Elisya, Afiq Zikri, Azril Shafiq and Aiman Daniel

4x4 built have to go through challenging path and overcome obstacles

Confident look from SM Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, Pahang students as they put their 4x4 to test

 

Sekolah Rendah Islam Hira' testing their 4x4 capability

More fun hands-on activities were found at the MCMC Pavilion where exhibitions and workshop activities related to MyMakers, IoT, digital lifestyle, track and trace, retail and payment, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and many more were carried out.

   

Sudoku Challenge, Traffic Jam and Four Colour Theorem at UTAR Faculty of Science booth

“My dream was finally realised when I made my own perfume at the perfume workshop by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). It is one of my many dreams to learn how to make my own perfume. I also learnt about chemistry components at the workshop. I enjoyed the workshops that were available at KLESF as they are all fun and interesting aside from learning the theory of science behind every project,” said Muhammad Hakim from Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, Putrajaya.

 

Visitors creating their own perfume by mixing essence and alcohol at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) booth

“We got to know KLESF through one of our club and society at school, thus we made the decision to join this year. Through KLESF, we're able to see interesting projects and workshops which added value to what we've learnt at school. It also enabled us to become more competitive in creating projects that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. We will definitely participate in the coming year as we also made new friends from other regions of the country,” said Yow Jian Pin, a participant from SMJK Jit Sin, Penang.

Yow Jian Pin (left) and his teammates Lee Ming Jia (middle) and Ong Jia Chien (right) proposed Biodegradable Potato Plastic as their project for the KLESF Challenge 2019

Norzehan Ngadiron, a visitor with three kids commented, “I think this KLESF is very interesting and suitable for parents and children. This is an excellent approach to expose children to STEM. When we first came in, we were greeted with many ‘hands-on’ activities and experiments. These activities certainly help to ignite children’s interest in science and mathematics. I really enjoy being here with my children. InsyaAllah, I will bring them again next year.”

Norzehan and her kids enjoying Construction Management Workshop by UTAR Faculty of Engineering & Green Technology (FEGT)

“The exhibitions are great and really good for students and parents. There is no admission fee and the workshops are mostly free so I think it works well for the objective of the fair. From what I see, this fair will spark interest among kids, especially in a science-related field. Syllabus in school is limited and they have to follow it but here they are free to attend any workshops that they are interested in. Parents are also able to observe the interest of their kids,” said Mohd Azizi Mhd Azmi who came with his whole family.

 

Azizi said that his kids really enjoyed joining the workshops

Glass bending and twisting at Glass Blowing Workshop by School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

Visitors learning the science behind crime scene investigations such as blood splatter patterns at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) booth

Visitors from Madrasah Al Huffaz Wal Ulum Lil Banat, Selangor on the second day of KLESF 2019

System Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd (SCS) exhibited an electric vehicle (EV) which was created by the company. The vehicle is powered by palm oil and sunlight

 

Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long) demonstrated the effect of soil erosion through a diorama

   

Visitors creating their “mushroom papers” using mushroom fibres at Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long) booth

   

 “Science Festival” by Bayer (M) Sdn Bhd was filled with mini-science projects and saw an endless crowd throughout the three days

Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) students Cheah Pik Yan (right) and Loh Kah Hoe demonstrating their food battery, made of potatoes and lemons, that can light up LED lights

“The acidic lemon juice provides hydrogen ions while the potatoes provide salt with free moving ions. The circuit allows the electron to move and light up the LED bulb,” explained Loh Kah Hoe.

Playing giant snake and ladder while learning about science trivia at The Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC) booth

 

Asia Pacific University (APU) conducted a workshop for visitors to make their own mayonnaise (and eat it too!)

   

What is better than robots? Robots playing football at myMaker Robotics Challenge 2019

In conjunction with KLESF 2019, the 15th Malaysia Festival of The Mind (MFotM) by the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) offered competitions that challenge the mind and cognitive skills including Elite Qualifier Sport Stacking Challenge 2019 by ISSF Malaysia, STEM Cube Challenge by Kids Station and Augmented Reality Colouring Contest with ARLETA. Fun and interesting memory-enriching workshops such as origami class by Malaysia Origami Academy, “Crime Scene Insects” by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and “Telepathy to Manage Your Child” by Intelligent Society of Malaysia were also held. The prizes for winners of Mind Competitions, held in UTAR Sungai Long Campus in April 2019, were also given away at MFotM 2019.

Elanggovan Thanggavilo (right) from Intelligent Society of Malaysia (ISOM) left the audience in awe as he demonstrated the capability of the brain to emit frequency by moving a pendulum to choose answers that reflect the subconscious part of the mind

Flies and maggots that often become a nuisance to people play a major role in determining the date and time of a death. The intriguing science of forensics was shared by the exhibitors from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) (from left) Raja M. Zuha, Naim Naqib bin Mohd Yasri, and Muhammad Shazrul Iqhman

 

UTAR Traditional Chinese Medicine students offering DIY herbal tea, herbal keychain, Tui Na service

Observing microorganisms at Nilai University booth

Visitors taking interest in 3D printing products

Learning about chemical reactions at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)

Exiting reality into fantasy world with virtual reality goggles at Multimedia University booth

A student testing her skill in building structures at UNITEN booth

Learning about sustainable hydropower at University of Southampton - Malaysia Campus booth

 

Sumobots battle at Malaysia Robotics Gamez

(Back row, from left) Prof Ewe and Prof Chuah exchanging MoU between UTAR and AAET which took place in conjunction with KLESF 2019 while (front row, from left) Tun Ling and Datuk Yusoff look on

Platinum sponsors of KLESF 2019 were Kuok Foundation, System Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd, Edasu Hiromori Sdn Bhd, Little Brain Children Trust, Silverlake Sprints Sdn Bhd, and Yayasan Science to Action. KLESF was sponsored in kinds by Maxis Communications, Spritzer Bhd, redONE Network Sdn Bhd, AOS Imaging Sdn Bhd, Corpacer Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Crayon Software Experts Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Fotorex, Pizza Hut, and Infowhiz Solutions (M) Sdn Bhd.

KLESF 2019 was organised by AAET, UTAR, MIGHT, IEM and MCMC and supported by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia, Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (ACCCIM) and Malaysian Institute of Physics (IFM).