SoSE 2025: Advancing STEM Education through Transformative Pedagogy

The 12th Symposium on Science Education (SoSE 2025), themed Advancing STEM Education through Transformative Pedagogy, was held virtually on 23 August 2025. The symposium attracted more than 100 participants, including educators, researchers, and STEM enthusiasts from across Malaysia and abroad, to explore innovative teaching practices and exchange ideas that could reshape the future of science education. 

The symposium emphasised the importance of moving beyond traditional teaching methods to better prepare students for an increasingly complex, technology-driven world. Participants were introduced to transformative approaches in STEM education that promote active learning, inquiry-based exploration, digital integration, and inclusive classroom practices. These strategies are designed to foster deeper engagement, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration among learners, ensuring education remains relevant and impactful in the 21st century.

In his speech, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat underscored the importance of empowering educators with transformative pedagogies to equip students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving, technology-driven future.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Mior Hamdan bin Hj Ghazli, A.C.M., Deputy Director of the Perak State Education Department (Learning Sector). In his keynote, titled Building the Future of STEM Education: Innovation, Collaboration and Global Connections, Dr Mior highlighted the pivotal role of innovative teaching practices in shaping the next generation of learners. He stressed the importance of bridging policy and practice with classroom realities while fostering collaboration and global connections to ensure STEM education remains relevant, inclusive, and future-ready.

A vital component of SoSE 2025 was the distinguished lineup of speakers who guided attendees through diverse and impactful STEM education approaches. Chm V. Komathy from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Ave Maria Convent, Ipoh, and Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Award Winner 2024, presented Sparking Change: How a Simple Chem-Redox Kit Revolutionised Our Approach to Redox Reaction. Her session demonstrated how a simple yet effective teaching kit can transform the way students understand abstract concepts in chemistry. 

Following this, Ts Dr Lee Chen Kang, UTAR Teaching Excellence Award winner from the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, presented Shaping Future Minds: EdTech-Driven Storytelling with Constructivist and Cognitive Approaches for Education 4.0, highlighting how the integration of educational technology and storytelling can create engaging and meaningful learning experiences. 

The next presentation was delivered by Dr Jong Cherng Meei, Pensyarah Cemerlang from Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Pulau Pinang, who spoke on Redefining Mathematics Pedagogy: Empowering Future Educators for a STEM-driven Nation. She discussed how rethinking mathematics instruction can better prepare future teachers to cultivate critical and creative problem-solving skills. 

This was followed by En Abdul Aziz Khahar from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Teja, Perak, who presented Fun Learning + PBL = Pelajar Aktif, Guru Kreatif, emphasising the power of project-based learning in transforming classrooms into active and creative learning spaces. 

The final sharing came from En Ahmad Adnan bin Mohd Shukri, Guru Cemerlang Sains from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kroh, Perak, whose talk Inklusif dalam Pendidikan STEM untuk Sekolah Rendah highlighted the importance of inclusivity in primary-level STEM education to ensure that no child is left behind. 

SoSE 2025 not only brought together a diverse group of teaching innovators but also demonstrated how educational contexts, from secondary schools to universities, can benefit from transformation through creative pedagogy. The event underscored UTAR’s unwavering commitment to supporting forward-thinking educators and equipping them with the knowledge and inspiration to amplify student learning.