KLESF 2023: Celebrating a decade of STEM excellence

 

From left: Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Chuah, Mr Rushdi Abdul Rahim, Tun Ling (fourth), Prof Dr Azlinda and Prof Dato’ Ewe during the opening of KLESF 2023

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 27 to 29 October 2023.

Being in its 10th year, KLESF 2023 encompassed various programmes and activities which aimed to promote interest in STEM, particularly among primary school, secondary school, and tertiary-level students. It also served as a platform for students to explore, learn, and engage with STEM concepts in a practical and exciting way. The fair was open to the public and it offered free admission.

Present at the opening ceremony of KLESF 2023 were Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE) Director General of Higher Education Prof Dr Azlinda binti Azman; Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) Chairman and UTAR Chancellor Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik; Toh Puan Ena Ling; Co-Chairman of KLESF Steering Committee and President and CEO of Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) Mr Rushdi Abdul Rahim; Co-Chairman of KLESF Steering Committee, UTAR President and ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET) President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat; MMLM Deputy Chairman Ir Academician Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Chuah Hean Teik, IEM Executive Committee and Council Member Ir Ts Wong Chee Fui, representative from the institution of higher learning, schools, sponsors and members of the public.

Prof Dr Azlinda and Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Chuah (right) delivering their speech

At the opening ceremony, Prof Dr Azlinda said, “The possibilities of STEM are endless, and it will continue to drive positive change and innovation. Therefore, we must do our part to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists, and mathematicians because they are the ones that will help create a more sustainable world.”

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Chuah said, “MMLM was founded with the vision to raise the awareness of developing mental literacy such as memory skills, thinking skills and creativity, as well as to introduce and promote ways to improve mental literacy among Malaysians. Through KLESF and MFotM, we hope we can continue to spark STEM interest among students.”

Mr Rushdi and Prof Dato’ Ewe (right) delivering their speech

Mr Rushdi said, “KLESF acts as a catalyst for increasing student interest in STEM by offering an engaging, inspiring, and informative environment. It demonstrates the practical applications and career opportunities in STEM fields, highlights student achievements, and provides a supportive community that fosters curiosity and enthusiasm. According to the Ministry of Education, the STEM enrolment in 2023 has increased since 2021 from 40.95% to 45.73%. This positive progress, albeit small is a good indicator of awareness of the importance of STEM, and thus the efforts to promote STEM must be fortified.”

Prof Dato’ Ewe said, “Through KLESF, we want to enhance students’ interest in STEM, raise public awareness about the pivotal roles STEM plays in socio-economic well-being and sustainable development, and encourage businesses and industries to actively participate in promoting STEM education and career development among our youth. We also aim to foster a collaborative environment where schools, educators, industries, the public and private sectors can come together to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in science and mathematics education.”

The book titled “Short Stories on Discoveries, Inventions, Innovation, and Creativity”, which was jointly published by AAET and UTAR in Tamil version, was also launched in conjunction with the KLESF 2023 opening ceremony. The book, currently available in English, Mandarin, and Bahasa Melayu versions, aims to spark interest in scientific curiosity and creativity.

One of the event highlights at the three-day fair includes the KLESF International Challenge 2023, a STEM international competition where about 250 teams comprising students from local and abroad exhibited their original inventions and creations. In addition to that, the Creative Science Drama Competition 2023 was held to encourage students’ creativity and innovation in delivering STEAM content through creative drama. More fun hands-on activities were found at the exhibitions with workshop activities and talks related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information and Communications Technology (ICT), robotics, drones, myMaker, The Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, 3D printing, science and magic performances, and many more.

The Malaysian Autonomous Intelligence and Robotics Association (MyAIRA) brought in innovators from China and Japan to showcase various technological advancements in hardware and supply chain solutions, as well as a robot band playing musical instruments made from tatami rugs.

KLESF 2023 offered interactive and fun activities for parents, students, and the public to familiarise themselves with STEM. The Fair also received active participation from STEM-related industry corporations, more than 50 universities, non-government organisations, government organisations, and more than 100 schools, both local and international.

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

Winners of the Mind Competitions

In conjunction with KLESF 2023, the 17th Malaysia Festival of The Mind (MFotM) by the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) featured exhibitions of booths in areas of mental calculation, strategy board games, arts, and memory sports. Prizes for winners of the Mind Competitions held at UTAR Sungai Long Campus, UTAR Kampar Campus, and TARUMT Penang Campus in September 2023 were also awarded at the opening ceremony. To view the results, click here.

Sponsoring KLESF 2023 were Kuok Foundation Berhad, Malayan Flour Mills Berhad, Silverlake Axis Sdn Bhd, Maxis Berhad, Pizza Hut, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, Mamee-Double Decker Sdn Bhd, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad, Mach 1 AI Robotics & Automation Sdn Bhd and Intrix Group.

KLESF 2023 was jointly organised by ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET), the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), and the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM). KLESF 2023 was supported by Akademi Sains Malaysia (ASM), The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), and the Malaysian Association of Autonomous Intelligence & Robotics (MyAIRA).

KLESF International Challenge booths

Mr Chin Pok Wai from TAR UMT delivering his talk on “How to build an Android app for cellphones”

Amirah binti Mohamed Shahiri from TAR UMT delivering her talk on “Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence in transforming education”

TEDX talk “Magic behind the flames: Rocket science unveiled” by Ts Dr Muhammad Hanafi Azami from IIUM

Winners of 3D Printing Innovation Hackathon

From left: Wan Aiza Rania binti Wan Mohd Fyzaal, Syafiq Harith bin Saifullizam and Alysha binti Abdul Rahim from Sekolah Seni Malaysia Kuala Lumpur won Gold Medal for 3D Printing Innovation Hackathon

“We would like to thank our teacher, Encik Hasriq Haiqal, and also our Industrial Department. We are grateful but we’re also feeling nervous at the same time knowing that we won the gold medal in the 3D Printing Innovation Hackathon. We will try our best to participate at the international level and hope that we can win again,” said Wan Aiza Rania, Syafiq Harith and Alysha.

Winners of the KLESF Creative Science Drama Competition

Team “The Esdee Triggers” won Grand Prize at the KLESF Creative Science Drama Competition

Teachers of SK Bandar Sri Damansara (3) Munirah Abd Mulok, Izyan Izzaty Salikan, Mohd Ikhwan Haiqal Ismail and Mohd Hanafi Hamzah said, “We are happy to win the Grand Prize for the KLESF Creative Science Drama Competition. This is our first time getting to know about the competition and KLESF is awesome. Our drama— “The oily future” creates awareness of disposing used cooking oils. We will definitely join next year’s KLESF.”

Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) student Pretysha from Taylor’s University introducing participants to the common lab technique and its functions

Pretysha described the Streak Plate technique in microbiology as a method for isolating pure strains of a particular microorganism species. She said, “This method encompasses various approaches like quadrant streaking, continuous streaking, and T-streaking. In the T-streaking procedure, an inoculation loop is first sterilised with a Bunsen burner, and then a small sample of colonies is gently dragged in a zig-zag pattern across the surface of area 1 on an agar plate. This process is then repeated for areas 2 and 3 before finally directing the loop towards the plate’s centre. The underlying principle of streaking is that with each iteration in different areas, the number of collected colonies decreases, facilitating the isolation of individual colonies.”

Qurratu Ain from EDSTEM Sdn Bhd showing the DNA of biscuit (green) and banana (blue)

Qurratu utilised readily available household materials to extract the DNA of various objects. To illustrate, when extracting DNA from a banana, she employed soap to disrupt the banana cell’s structure and introduced salt to neutralise the cell’s ions, making the DNA visible. Following this, alcohol is introduced to extract the DNA from the cell. In the case of testing a banana, a test tube will exhibit white foam, indicating the presence of DNA. However, when testing a biscuit’s DNA, no such foam appears. This leads to the conclusion that biscuits, being non-living entities, do not possess DNA.

Noor Farahana Abdul Rahman (left) and Nur Athirah bt Latiff (right) from HEMREL introducing a new STEM rocket which uses chemicals and an ignitor to launch the rocket

The UiTM-MTC High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMREL) is a joint collaboration of MTC Engineering Sdn Bhd and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UiTM. It conducts research and development of high-energy material used for any applications. The Rocket for Education (RockEd) under HEMREL is a small-scale solid propellant rocket for educational purposes. In Malaysia, especially for school students, they only have the experience of launching water or air rockets during school events. The objective of RockEd is to provide participants with an enjoyable experience and enhance their understanding of the science behind the aerospace system through hands-on activities using module kits.

Mr Suwannit Chareen Chit (left) and Mr Ahmad Hanis (right) from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) displaying their robots

Mr Suwannit said, “We aim to introduce STEM concepts to school children by engaging them in hands-on learning. This is achieved through the use of microcontrollers and printed circuit boards (PCB) to construct and manage a robot. Students will have the opportunity to customise the robot’s functions using Arduino programming. Additionally, they will create a user interface for controlling the robot, enhancing their understanding and application of STEM principles in a practical and interactive way.”

KLESF Steering Committee John Tay (left) and Vice President of Malaysian Autonomous Intelligence & Robotics Association (MyAIRA) Mr Soo Ho Hock Meng (right)

Mr Soo said, “MYAIRA is an association formed by the industry to promote artificial intelligence and robotics because we believe it is crucial for the next generation to be educated in Industry 4.0. I believe that KLESF will greatly contribute to the promotion of STEM education. It not only showcases creativity in Malaysia but also builds an understanding among young people that STEM is a part of our daily lives and guides them to become a part of the workforce in Industry 4.0.”

 

From left: Shinichi Kato, Nobuyoshi Ochio, Tetsuji Katsuda and Kazuhiro Nishiwaki

Tetsuji Katsuda said, “We are excited to exhibit the robots and the tatami traditional Japanese carpet at the KLESF exhibition. This event offers students numerous booths where they can learn more about STEM and nurture their interest in the field. Malaysia’s education system has advanced with the improvement of STEM.”

Mach 1 Ai Robotics & Automation Sdn Bhd General Manager (Operations) Mr Jack Tan

Mach 1 Ai Robotics & Automation Sdn Bhd General Manager (Operations) Mr Jack Tan said, “STEM education is important in Malaysia because it creates awareness for all to know that we can make use of science, engineering and mathematics to improve human lives. It is also important for industries to participate in science fairs like KLESF to support and develop students’ ideas to cultivate their creativity and innovative minds.”

Malayan Flour Mills Berhad Specialist Talent Acquisition Ms Jacy

Malayan Flour Mills Berhad Specialist Talent Acquisition Ms Jacy said, “KLESF is a great platform for promoting STEM education. We will definitely support this initiative.”

Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Dato’ Hun Heng Kuan

Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Dato’ Hun Heng Kuan said, “MTSF was set up with the purpose of promoting science among youths. We are delighted to participate in KLESF as part of our CSR initiative to promote the interest of science among Malaysians. I hope we will continue to be part of KLESF in the future.”

Jacqueline Tang with her children Elsieberry Soo (far right) and Vasilios Soo at the robotic workshop by IPG Kampus Pendidikan Teknik

Jacqueline Tang, who came with her children, said, “The workshops conducted were very interesting. I really enjoyed being here with my children. It is a good time for my children to be exposed to STEM. We learnt a lot from this fair, one of which is issues pertaining to food waste. It can be reused and turned into something that we can use in our daily lives. We have come from Ipoh. I purposely brought my children to this fair so they could experience and learn the theory of science behind every project. I knew about this event from Facebook. STEM is important, especially nowadays, with people talking about AI and all. We will definitely participate in this fair again in the future.”

Carmen Thong (left) and Golden Liew from SMK Lake posing with their conductive dough

“This is my first time joining the KLESF. Thanks to this fair, I was able to witness some interesting projects and workshops which added value to what I have learnt at school. It was so much fun and interesting, especially the robots. I will definitely participate in the coming year as I’ve also made new friends from other regions of the country. STEM is important because it has various applications in our daily lives,” said Golden Liew, a Form Four student from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Lake, Sarawak.

From left: Syafiq Akram and Benedict Cody

Students from MRSM Sabah, Syafiq Akram and Benedict Cody, presented their innovative project titled “Harmony Haven: An Eco Village Dream”, which focused on harnessing river power for longhouses. Syafiq explained, “This year, I was delighted to see KLESF return to a physical mode. I submitted the paperwork to my teachers, who assisted in signing us up for this event. I believe that the decision to return physical was a fantastic initiative as it allows us to directly share and exchange our ideas.”

Lai (most left) with his teammates

Lai Shao Yik, a student from SMKJ Jit Sin, Penang said, “We represent the Science Society and have consistently received annual invitations from KLESF. If you have an interest, you can create a team, register, brainstorm ideas, and, with the guidance of your teachers, complete a project to take part in this fair, the invitation included. Being a part of this exhibition has been an exceptionally valuable experience for me. It has offered a platform for me and my teammates to engage with and learn from other schools, which in return, has enabled us to pinpoint our weaknesses and make necessary improvements for the future.”

From left: Kavin, Nadeish and Jeyvell

The students from SJK (T) Ladang Blue Valley in Cameron Highlands, namely, Kavin, Jeyvell, and Nadeish, enthusiastically participated in the KLESF with their project titled “Water Recycling: The impact of soapnut greywater on the environment”. Their journey began a month before the KLESF event. They conducted research on Facebook and received an invitation to take part in this event. Upon their arrival, they were filled with happiness and fascination, and their experience at the event deepened their interest even further. They not only enjoyed the event but also acquired valuable knowledge. Their enthusiasm was evident as they expressed a strong desire to continue learning and innovating.

From left: Rex Ngui, Heng and Hoo

SJK(C) Jalan Davidson, Kuala Lumpur students Rex Ngui, Heng Wey Key and Hoo Hoe Yan presented their project titled “Solarglobe: Provides energy to all” at the KLESF Challenge. Their project focused on harnessing the abundant solar energy potential in desert regions. This forward-thinking project exemplified the school’s strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, emphasising the transformative capabilities of renewable energy sources. Through Solarglope, the students of SJK(C) Jalan Davidson not only showcased their scientific expertise but also underscored their dedication to addressing pressing global issues, particularly the pivotal role that solar technology plays in alleviating energy challenges in arid environments.

From left: Adriana, Arya Safia and Wahyudnni

Adriana, Arya Safia, and Wahyudnni, students from Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka, introduced their innovative project titled “Reshine” at the fair. In this project, they have devised a method to filter used cooking oil and utilise recycled bar soaps as a sustainable alternative to beeswax for polishing leather shoes. Arya Safia enthusiastically shared, “I've gained a wealth of new knowledge and a multitude of innovative ideas. In the future, I aspire to improve our product further by incorporating the ideas I’ve acquired from this event.” Adriana expressed her gratitude, saying, “We’ve received valuable ideas from the judges and fellow participants, which will greatly aid us in refining our product, with the ultimate goal of bringing it to market.” Wahyudnni stated the event’s significance, “This event has showcased a plethora of excellent innovations from various schools, making it an ideal platform for generating ideas for future innovations.”

From left: Digambareshwaran Thana Prakash, Naliinaaline Thana Seelan and Sathis Rajen

Digambareshwaran Thana Prakash, Naliinaaline Thana Seelan, and Sathis Rajen from SJK(T) Ladang Batang Kali won Gold at the KLESF International Challenge 2023. Their project was titled “Sustainable Art for a Greener World”. The team expressed, “We are delighted and proud to win Gold for this challenge. We would like to thank our teacher Mrs Amuthasuriya for her endless support and guidance in our science project. We hope to participate in next year’s KLESF.”

From left: R. Jeevaghan, V. Samyuktaa and R. Haasinisri

Gold medal winners for KLESF International Challenge R. Jeevaghan, V. Samyuktaa and R. Haasinisri from SJK (T) Ladang Batang Kali said, “We are happy and fortunate to win gold medals in this challenge for our project “2 in 1 Banana Peel Charcoal Briquette”. We are very thankful to our parents, teachers and all who have supported us along the way. With great determination, we will eventually succeed. We will return to KLESF 2024.”

From left: Tavinya, Chee, and Norshafinaz

Tavinya Magenthiran, Chee Kar Joe, and Norshafinaz binti Mohd Mazri from SMK Seri Teja, Gopeng won the Gold award for their project titled “SAFVE” at the KLESF Challenge. This achievement by the students served as a testament to the school’s dedication to nurturing scientific curiosity and fostering creativity among its students. The project’s emphasis on crafting organic lipstick not only showcased the team’s prowess in chemistry and product development but also exemplified their environmentally conscious approach. This victory is poised to inspire other students to delve into the realms of science and technology, leveraging their skills for the betterment of both society and the environment.

The team mentioned that they did not expect to win the challenge. They also expressed their appreciation to their team members and teachers for this achievement. Tavinya added, “We will be having SPM examination next year but we will still try our best to attend the KLESF Challenge.”

From left: Clara, Sarah and Mizah

Mizah Hisymatinnisaa, Clara Angelica Ardianto and Sarah Hanifa Falisha from Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur achieved a remarkable victory by securing the Gold award at the KLESF Challenge for their project titled “Eco-friendly Shampoo”. Their outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and scientific creativity was evident in this notable accomplishment. Their project focused on the development of a shampoo formula that minimises its environmental impact, addressing crucial issues like water pollution and chemical waste. Showcasing their dedication to an eco-friendly future, the students of Sekolah Indonesia Kuala Lumpur earned well-deserved recognition as champions of the KLESF Challenge. The victory not only underscored their innovative spirit but also the significance of developing environmentally conscious solutions in our modern world.

Mizah said, “I just came here for the experience. I didn’t expect to win the Gold Medal. Thank you to my teammates, my teacher Julia Astutik, my parents and all my friends for helping me throughout the research.”

From left: William Traill Bowley and Watwarin Thirasan

Merit winners William Traill Bowley and Watwarin Thirasan from Trail International School in Bangkok, Thailand were awarded Merit at the KLESF International Challenge. Bowley expressed his satisfaction, “There is always room for improvement. I will continue to acquire more knowledge and participate in future events like this.” Watwarin said, “KLESF has indeed provided a good platform for all of us to learn from each other and I look forward to making significant advancements in our project.”

 

Tatami band entertaining the crowd at KLESF with their musical instruments made from tatami (Japanese rug)

Band performance by Buddy-kun Red (left), Buddy-kun Wood (middle) and Buddy-Kun Green (right) and fortune telling by Chibisan-Kun

Headband/bracelet making workshop

Cup tower challenge at MIGHT’s booth

Ng Joe Ann (left) and Tan Yu Qing from SJK (C) Kuo Min, Nilai displaying their 3D design printing model at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu booth

Visitors learn to make soap at UTAR Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology booth

Michellevy showing her DIY soap bar

Slime-making workshop at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia booth

Visitors making their own perfume at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) booth

Participants building mBot at Robotic workshop by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Participants enjoying themselves at Marine Engineering workshop by PolyCC Politeknik dan Kolej Komuniti

UTAR Faculty of Science Department of Laboratory Management and Safety Administration Head Dr Ooi Zhong Xian showing the lava lamp

Participants learning to transform food scrap at UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long) booth

“Help it stand- unleash your creativity with building” at UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long) booth

“Guess the number” at UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies (Kampar) booth

Visitors experiencing the wireless power transmission at Multimedia University workshop

Homemade cold pack at UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long) booth

“When electric current meets magnetic field” workshop conducted by TAR UMT Faculty of Applied Sciences Programme Leader Chong Nyok Kian and Dr Teo Li Ping

   

Participating booths at KLESF 2023

Booths at MFoTM

Mr Jayden intertwines science and magic on stage

Booths at KLESF International Challenge


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