UTAR Mathematics and Science Fair 2025 inspires innovation and curiosity

Front row from left: Ms Tan, Ms Yeoh Li-Cheng, Ms Kong Jee Kim, Dr Pua, Ms Melissa, Mr Lim, Mr Khor and Mr Lai

A vibrant celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) came to life at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 4 November 2025, as the Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS) hosted its much-anticipated Mathematics and Science Fair (MSF) 2025. The event welcomed a spirited crowd of over 480 participants, comprising 334 UTAR students and 154 secondary school students, united under the theme Moving Forward: The Science and Mathematics of Progress (Powering Innovation, Calculating the Future).

Students from SMK Bandar Sungai Long, SMK Bandar Tun Hussein Onn 2, and SMK Seri Kembangan were specially invited to join the fair, further strengthening UTAR’s ties with local schools and reinforcing its role as a regional hub for STEM outreach.

This one-day fair was designed to promote inclusive and engaging STEM education through a series of hands-on activities, interactive exhibitions, and friendly competitions. Participants explored scientific principles not only through observation but also active participation, bridging theory and real-world application in exciting and playful ways.

The fair featured a wide array of thematic activities across five core scientific disciplines. Mathematics challenged participants through the Algorithm Race, a constraint-based puzzle designed to develop problem-solving efficiency. Chemistry offered an eco-conscious workshop where students produced DIY scented gel air fresheners, applying principles of solubility and evaporation to everyday household materials. In Biology, students crafted their own biodegradable plastic, gaining hands-on insight into sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials.

The Physics station, titled Light It Up! allowed students to build simple paper circuits, guided by demonstrations involving LEDs, breadboards, and digital simulations. Meanwhile, the IT section presented a mini-exhibition on the evolution of hardware and software, where participants dismantled and reassembled computers to deepen their understanding of digital infrastructure.

Complementing these activities was a game station featuring psychomotor board games such as Rocket to Moon, The Adventure Maze, and Untie Folds which were designed to enhance fine motor skills, coordination, and cognitive reflexes, especially among younger visitors.

High schoolers participating in the activities in each booth

Overseeing the event was a dedicated organising committee led by Chairperson Mr Lim Chee Siong and advised by Ms Tan Zhen Jee, with additional guidance from Assoc Prof Ts Dr Pua Chang Hong. The event also acknowledged the contributions of Mr Khor Chin Kheng, Mr Wong Tick Leong, Mr Lai Teo Kuan, and Ms Subhashini Raveendran. Their combined efforts, together with the enthusiastic support of UTAR staff and student helpers, ensured the success of the fair.

Ms Melissa

Director of the Centre for Foundation Studies (Sungai Long Campus), Ms Melissa Stefanie Netto, commended the collaborative spirit behind the fair and its lasting impact on students. “This year’s theme, Moving Forward: The Science and Mathematics of Progress, reflects our belief in STEM’s power to shape a better future. As we engage with science, mathematics, and IT today, let us move forward with clarity, purpose, and curiosity,” she said.

With its dynamic blend of academic enrichment, community outreach, and interactive learning, MSF 2025 successfully ignited curiosity, fostered innovation, and strengthened the University’s commitment to building a scientifically literate society.

Students participating in the quiz led by Mr Lim

The organising committee members