Nur Muhammad Haziq with a plate made from pineapple leaves.
TIRED of stray cats leaving a mess around their school, five students came up with a natural spray and sticker to safely keep the furry intruders at bay.
SMA An-Nur, Benut, Johor, student Muhammad Farid Aiman Sarmin said their innovation, which combines science and empathy, uses natural ingredients to repel both cats and insects without harming them.
“We came up with this idea because cats often defecate in our school compound.
“We decided to create a repellent that’s safe for both humans and animals,” said the Form Two student.
Nurawatiff Yusrina holding a packet of spinach cookies.
His group spent five months refining the product.
They were among those showcasing their creations at the Johor Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Mini Theatre: STEM Synergy and Showcase event in Skudai.
Another team, led by Nurawatiff Yusrina Husni, 14, from SMA Al-Quran Waddin, Johor Baru, created cookies made with spinach to encourage children to eat more vegetables.
“Our teacher shared how her child disliked vegetables.
“We thought – why not combine something kids love, with something they usually avoid?”.
She said the cookies contained Vitamin A, iron and fibre, tasting crunchy and sweet.
Sharifah Tasneem Al-Attas Syed Naquib and her team, who are also from the same school, introduced “Sayo” – a seasoning blend made from herbs such as pegaga, parsley and spring onions.
“We spent months learning how to dehydrate the leaves and grind them into fine powder,” she said.
SMK Sri Gading, Batu Pahat student Nur Muhammad Haziq Ewsam, 15, and his group focused on sustainability by turning agricultural waste into eco-friendly products.
“Our project, called Pine Plate, transforms pineapple leaves into biodegradable plates.
“Each plate naturally decomposes within 30 days, unlike plastic or polystyrene,” he said.
The project earned them Gold and Special Awards at this year’s Malaysia Technology Expo.
State education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said 10 schools and 20 students showcased their innovations at the event.
National STEM Association president Emerita Prof Datuk Dr Noraini Idris added that the projects supported students in conducting experiments at school.
“What’s important is that students master scientific concepts while creating their products,” she said.
