UTAR and YTL Foundation bring festive cheer and STEM learning to the community

The YTL STEM Holiday Programme and Christmas Party 2024, a collaboration between the YTL Foundation and UTAR Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long Campus (CFS-SL)), brought together the joy of the festive season and the excitement of STEM learning. Held across multiple venues from 13 to 14 December 2024, the event reached over 330 participants, including refugee children, Orang Asli youths, and local communities.

The programme featured six sessions, which were conducted at venues such as the 54C Learning Space in Bukit Bintang, Pustaka KL @ Bandar Baru Sentul (CLiC) and SEMOA Farm Orang Asli Education Centre in Tras, Pahang. Over 29 staff members and 39 student volunteers from CFS-SL were actively involved in creating an engaging and inclusive experience for the participants.

At SEMOA Farm, participants explored STEM through hands-on workshops that introduced concepts in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics. Activities like goat heart dissections, DIY hand gel sanitiser, and learning binary numbers captured the curiosity of the Orang Asli youths, fostering a deeper interest in science and mathematics. These interactive sessions were tailored to meet the participants’ needs, blending education with excitement.

The children at the 54C Learning Space and local community members at Pustaka KL enjoyed creating festive crafts, including mini Christmas trees, Christmas hats and ornaments during the handcraft sessions. The Christmas celebrations at Pustaka KL also featured games such as Face Change Rubik’s Cube, Aim Me Correctly, Twister and Catch the Lucky Ball, which added a lively and fun atmosphere to the event.

The festive activities brought joy and creativity to participants, while the STEM workshops offered meaningful learning experiences. Teachers and facilitators praised the event for its ability to inspire young minds through interactive and innovative approaches, emphasising the importance of education in a supportive and engaging environment.

The YTL STEM Holiday Programme and Christmas Party 2024 exemplified UTAR’s commitment to education, community engagement, and fostering creativity. It showcased the University’s dedication to advancing science education while spreading festive cheer to underprivileged communities, making a lasting impact on all who participated.