Pay Fong Middle School learns with full enthusiasm at UTAR STEM workshops

To spark interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among students, Dr Ong Kiah Ju, Head of UTAR STEM Outreach, partnered with faculty and students from M Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES), the UTAR Engineering in Medicine and Biology (EMB) Student Chapter, the UTAR Makers Club, and the Division of Programme Promotion (DPP). Together, they organised a series of STEM workshops for 79 students from Pay Fong Middle School on 24 August 2024 at UTAR Sungai Long Campus.

Pay Fong Middle School students

On that day, 54 students attended two main workshops. The first, “Sending Secret Messages: Introduction to Public-Key Cryptography”, was led by Mr Su Lee Seng from LKC FES. He explained public-key cryptography as a method for securing communications and data, highlighting its benefits such as enhanced security, authentication, and key distribution.

The second workshop, “Making Predictions Using Data,” was conducted by Dr Yeo Heng Giap Ivan, also from LKC FES. Dr Yeo taught the students the process of making predictions using data, including defining the problem, collecting data, choosing a predictive model, and updating predictions with new information. He noted that this method is commonly used in fields like sales forecasting.

Students listening to Mr Su (left) and Dr Yeo (right) attentively as they conduct the workshop

Pay Fong Middle School students during the workshop session

The remaining 25 students from the Pay Fong Maker Club engaged in various activities organised by the UTAR EMB and UTAR Makers Club. They participated in the “Dunkin Questionnaire,” played a True or False Board Game, and enjoyed a Play-3D Human Word Game. These activities, led by students Lee Kai Yang, Bhimanapalli Lakshmi Sanjana, and Moe Pyae Pyae Han, were both entertaining and educational. Students learned various facts through these activities.

Additionally, the Maker Club students took part in a DIY Robotic Hand workshop. It was led by a student named See Voon Shi. The students used everyday materials like paper and straws to build and control robotic hands, learning about both craftsmanship and human hand anatomy. They also joined a workshop on “Biomedical Engineering Flowchart Game,” led by student Wee Ying Yee, which introduced them to the field of biomedical engineering. Finally, student Sim Buo Jian conducted a workshop titled “Fun with CAD: An Introduction to Designing and 3D Printing,” where students learned how to design 3D models using CAD software and print them with a 3D printer.

Pay Fong Middle School students participating in different activities

Overall, the day was a success, with Pay Fong Middle School students exploring a variety of STEM subjects in engaging ways. The workshops were aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9).

Pay Fong Middle School students with UTAR staff