The possibilities are endless when innovation and creativity hinge on the ever-evolving STEM sector. This was eminently apparent among the groups of young STEM aficionados at the third “Pertandingan Inovasi STEM Terbuka Sekolah Rendah Peringkat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan”, held at SJK(C) Kung Man, Serdang Lama on 8 June 2024.

The third Pertandingan Inovasi STEM Terbuka Sekolah Rendah Peringkat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan was mainly organised by Persatuan Pengajian dan Pembelajaran STEM Malaysia, BRAINet (M) Sdn Bhd, and SJK(C) Kung Man.

UTAR, together with the Technological Association Malaysia (TAM), Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Malaysian Education Exchange Association (MEEA), Dufu Technology Corp Berhad, and Mighty White were the co-organisers of the competition. Meanwhile, it was supported by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Selangor (JPS), and Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Petaling Perdana.

The STEM competition received the participation of more than 300 students from 65 primary schools across Selangor. The competition revolved around two themes, namely “Microbit – Smart Home System” and “Green Energy – Solar Car”, in which the participants based their contending projects on one of the themes. It mainly aimed to promote STEM education among youths in Malaysia, which could potentially lead to breakthroughs and steady growth in the future Malaysian STEM sector.

Representing UTAR, Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Head of Department of Civil Engineering Ir Ts Dr Yip Chun Chieh and academic Ir Ts Wong Chee Fui were among the nine judges to contribute their expertise at the competition. The other judges were Peninsula College (Northern) academic Ir Ts Dr Edwin Goh Boon Hoe, SR Aviation Sdn Bhd Head of Engineering Ir Ricky Liew Chee Leong, TAR UMT academic Ir Ts Dr Sara Lee Kit Yee, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) academic Ir Dr Chua Yaw Long, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia academic Dr Yew Weng Kean, University of Nottingham Malaysia Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Dr Lim Chin Seong, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Ocean Thermal Energy Centre (OTEC) Director Ts Dr Sathiabama T. Thirugnana.

Also present at the opening ceremony of the competition were Special Duty Officer in Prime Minister’s Office Mr Bryan Lew, JPS Chief Assistant Director (Economy) En Amberin bin Haji Amin, President of the Persatuan Pengajian dan Pembelajaran STEM Malaysia Dato’ Ong Cheng Hwa, Advisor of the Persatuan Pengajian dan Pembelajaran STEM Malaysia Ms June Leow Hsiad Hui, representative of the Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Petaling Perdana Pn Anidah binti Abdul Rahman, BRAINet (M) Sdn Bhd General Manager Mr Chan Chon How, SJK(C) Kung Man Principal Mr William Chua, and representatives from the participating schools.

The results of the competition are as follows: