Mind and STEM Festival 2024: Nurturing Minds in the AI Age

The much-anticipated Mind and STEM Festival 2024 took place from 23 to 24 October 2024 at SMJK Chan Wa, Seremban, providing a dynamic and engaging platform for students, educators, and the public. Organised by the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF), the event inspired curiosity, promoted STEM education, and helped advance mental literacy in the AI era.

This year’s festival, themed Brain and Bytes: Nurturing Minds in the AI Age, featured an impressive array of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workshops, hands-on activities, and mental literacy talks aimed at cultivating an interest in STEM fields and enhancing mental abilities. Participants had the opportunity to explore advanced technologies, engage in interactive workshops, and showcase their creativity.

Prof Faidz (left) and Prof Dato’ Indera Lee (right) delivering their speech

Present at the opening ceremony of the festival were MMLM Secretary Prof Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, UTAR Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman, SMJK Chan Wa LPS Chairman Dato’ Oh Kok Khim, SMJK Chan Wa YDP PIBG Mr Goh Cheng Kooi, SMJK Chan Wa Acting Principal Mr Koh Nee Kien, MMLM Treasurer Mr Ong Whee Tiong, MMLM Assistant Secretary Ms Lim Guat Yen, esteemed guests, and students.

At the opening ceremony, Prof Dato’ Indera Lee said, “I strongly encourage each of you to fully immerse yourselves in the activities we’ve organised today. This festival is designed not only to spark your interest in STEM but also to inspire a deeper commitment to these fields. Mind literacy is essential, especially in this era where artificial intelligence shapes our world. By cultivating human intelligence, we can harness the power of AI more effectively and responsibly. I urge you to consider furthering your studies in STEM.”

Prof Faidz said, “In today’s world, STEM is a crucial driver of innovation, sustainability, and solutions to global challenges. Whether it’s tackling climate change, advancing healthcare, or developing smarter cities, STEM provides the tools and solutions for a better tomorrow. We hope that events like this will inspire more young minds to pursue careers in STEM and help Malaysia continue its progress as a nation that embraces the digital economy and AI advancements.”

One of the key attractions of the festival was the STEM Project Showcase, where school students exhibited innovative STEM projects. These showcases highlighted the students’ creativity and technical prowess. Visitors also engaged in hands-on STEM activities guided by the students, further deepening their understanding of these fields.

Clockwise from top left: Mr Wong, Mr West Wong and Mr Teo

A lineup of Mental Literacy Talks, featuring distinguished speakers who are experts in enhancing brainpower, was also a major draw. Among the featured speakers were Mr Wong Wan Jiun, a Grandmaster of Memory, who presented on How to Boost Your Memory for Academic Learning. Mr West Wong, known as the Malaysian Human Calculator, gave an exciting talk on Supercharge Your Brain Power: EdTech Meets Mental Calculation, and Mr Teo Kim Foo, an International Master of Memory, conducted a session on Mind Mapping, sharing techniques to enhance cognitive performance through visual learning strategies.

In addition to the talks, participants took part in various interactive workshops, including the Mind & STEM Cube Workshop, the Memory Workshop, the Brain Gym Workshop, and the Mental Calculation Workshop. The festival also featured a range of Mind Games and STEM Exhibitors, offering hands-on activities such as IQ games, brain development exercises, and mental calculation coaching. Creative games like Visual Language and Juxtaposition stimulated participants’ problem-solving abilities in fun and innovative ways.

The Mind and STEM Festival 2024 proved to be an inspiring event that not only promoted STEM education but also nurtured critical thinking and mental agility in the age of artificial intelligence. It provided a unique platform where young minds explored the vast possibilities of STEM while sharpening their cognitive abilities through mental literacy activities.

Participants engaged in various activities related to STEM

Group photos of participants from various schools