UTAR and YTL Foundation unite to inspire young minds through STEM

Group photo with the community

On 18 September 2024, the YTL Foundation successfully hosted its much-anticipated STEM Holiday Programme at Pustaka KL @ Bandar Baru Sentul (CLiC), captivating young minds with the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In collaboration with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), the programme featured four dynamic workshops facilitated by lecturers and student helpers from the Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) Sungai Long Campus. The event drew 43 enthusiastic participants and was designed to inspire curiosity and foster hands-on learning.

UTAR played a central role in the event, organising workshops at four distinct learning stations: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Each station introduced key concepts through interactive experiments.

Biology Station

At the Biology station, facilitators Ms Lee Cin Dee and Puan Norkhalidah Binti Jamali led an exploration titled Micro Marvels: Exploring Specimens with Handheld Mini Microscopes. Students observed plant cells, insect parts, and other objects up close, learning about the unseen structures that compose the natural world. The activity successfully ignited students’ curiosity about biology and the basic principles of microscopy.

Chemistry Station

The Chemistry station, guided by Mr Lim Chee Siong, featured the intriguing Ice Cubes Fishing Game. This hands-on experiment demonstrated how salt lowers the freezing point of ice, allowing participants to “fish” for ice cubes using string—a fun and memorable introduction to basic chemistry concepts.

Physics Station

At the Physics station, participants delved into light and colour theory through the DIY Colour Wheel activity. Facilitators Ms Donica Kan Pei Xin and Puan Siti Nur Hidayah Binti Edie demonstrated how spinning a colour wheel can blend light colours into white, providing a fascinating glimpse into optics and human perception.

Mathematics Station

The Mathematics station, led by Ms Kong Jee Kim and Ms Yeoh Li-Cheng, challenged students to convert binary numbers into decimals and vice versa. Through fun coding exercises and puzzles, participants learned to decode binary numbers, enhancing their understanding of number systems and mathematical conversions.

The YTL STEM Holiday Programme proved to be a resounding success, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants and their parents alike. Students were able to engage in STEM learning in a relaxed and enjoyable environment, while parents appreciated the opportunity to explore scientific activities with their children. UTAR’s involvement not only highlighted its commitment to promoting science education but also provided a platform for nurturing young minds, ensuring they see STEM as a fun and accessible field.