The 11th Symposium on Science Education (SoSE 2024), organised by UTAR Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT) in collaboration with the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) and Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Kinta Selatan, took place virtually on 24 August 2024.

The annual symposium, themed Embracing the Future of STEM Education Through Dynamic Pedagogies, attracted more than 150 educators, students, and stakeholders passionate about advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Held via Zoom and live-streamed on UTAR’s Facebook and YouTube platforms, the symposium provided a platform for sharing innovative teaching techniques and strategies aimed at enhancing STEM education. The symposium focused on equipping educators with practical, dynamic pedagogies that engage students and foster interest in STEM subjects.

In his welcome speech, Faculty of Science Dean Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng expressed his hopes for SoSE 2024 to serve as a catalyst for fresh approaches to STEM education. He emphasised the importance of integrating digital tools and interactive pedagogies to inspire young minds and keep STEM subjects exciting and relevant in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The keynote address was delivered by Pegawai Pendidikan Daerah Kinta Selatan Dr Mior Hamdan bin Hj. Ghazli, who, urged educators to continuously explore innovative teaching methods to meet the changing needs of students.

The event also featured a diverse line-up of award-winning educators, each sharing their unique approaches to teaching. Their presentations offered valuable insights and take-home tips for participants, who ranged from primary school teachers to university lecturers.

Among the featured speakers were:

• Mr Pek Chun Hoe, the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) Science Education Award 2023 winner, presented a talk titled Demonstrating RMS Current in Alternating Current by Stepping into Arduino Microcontroller Technology. His talk showcased how the use of Arduino technology can simplify complex electrical concepts.

• Ms Lee Cin Dee, recipient of the UTAR E-Learning Excellence Award 2023, presented a talk titled Engaging Students Beyond the Classroom. Her session highlighted innovative methods to keep students engaged, even in remote or hybrid learning environments.

• Cikgu Norhayati binti Yusoff, the nominee for the Anugerah Guru Inovatif (Individu Lepas Menengah), shared her insights on Innovation for Future Education.

• Cikgu Wong Choy Wan, Excellent Teaching Award Winner (Secondary School), presented a talk titled Transformative Teaching: Implementing Interactive Pedagogies in Chemistry

• Cikgu Rozziana binti Mohamad Som, Ikon Adiguru Peringkat Kebangsaan 2024, offered her perspective on Pendekatan Pembelajaran Matematik di Sekolah Murid Orang Asli. Her talk focused on the innovative approaches to teaching mathematics to Orang Asli students.

SoSE 2024 achieved its key objectives of sharing innovative STEM teaching methods, raising awareness of technology-integrated approaches, and providing valuable networking opportunities for educators. Participants were given the chance to engage with the speakers and exchange ideas on improving student outcomes in STEM subjects.

The symposium concluded with closing remarks by the UTAR Centre for Learning and Teaching Chairperson Dr Wei Chooi Yi, who thanked the speakers and participants for their contributions to the success of the event. The day ended on a lively note with a lucky draw, adding an element of fun to the educational experience.

SoSE 2024 demonstrated UTAR’s commitment to fostering excellence in STEM education, providing educators with the tools and knowledge to nurture the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.