Come visit us: Norhasrizam (left) and Prof Faidz showing off the promotional posters for the KLESF.
THE teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and technical and vocational education and training (TVET), must go hand in hand.
Nurturing young minds towards STEM education is crucial, and this is closely linked to the hands-on approach of TVET, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) vice president (R&D and Commercialisation) Prof Dr Faidz Abd Rahman explained.
“What better way for children to learn than by letting them play with gadgets and gizmos?
“It is similar to letting them play with toys but exposing them to inventions lets them experience science firsthand.
“This is what we want to do at the KL Engineering Science Fair (KLESF), which kicks off this Friday,” he told StarEdu.
The KLESF, set to take place from Oct 27 to 29 (9am – 6pm), at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC), Selangor, is a vibrant and fully interactive event with 590 local and international students, including from China, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, participating.
The 2023 KLESF International Challenge is a highlight of the fair where 228 teams will be presenting their STEM projects.
The challenge, said Prof Faidz, seeks to promote the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among students and to cultivate their potential for innovation.
Citing a 2019 paper published in Jurnal Pendidikan Sains & Matematik Malaysia, he said a study was carried out to assess the impact of science fairs on students’ engagement, capacity and continuity, and motivation in science learning, and the results were positive.
The study, which sampled 360 students aged 13 to 17, showed that science fairs positively influenced students’ desire to pursue a science-related career.
Prof Faidz added that the Asean Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET) and The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) would also be at the fair.
“The AAET represents our linkage to the Asean countries, which is important because we share a common vision to strengthen the competitiveness of countries in the region.
“STEM education provides us with a platform to do that,” he said, adding that The IEM’s presence is important in cultivating interest among students, particularly as there is a shortage of engineers in the country.
This year, the Malaysian Autonomous Intelligence and Robotics Association (MyAIRA) will be bringing in innovators from China and Japan to showcase various technological advancements in hardware and supply chain solutions, as well as a robot band playing musical instruments made from tatami rugs.
Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) senior principal analyst II (Industry Development Division) Norhasrizam Hashim said the exhibits are not limited to high-tech gadgets, but also include simple ideas that benefit communities.
The focus is to provide students with an exciting experience they would not get anywhere else, he said.
“The exhibitors are not here to sell anything. They are here purely to provide eager minds with the opportunity to touch, feel and understand how science works.
“Almost 80% of visitors to our previous fairs were children. At their young age, they are capable of absorbing things quickly, and are keen to learn.
“We also encourage teachers to come as it will be a great avenue for them to pick up new teaching approaches to drive STEM interest in schools,” he said.
Also taking place is the 17th Malaysia Festival of the Mind, which Prof Faidz said, is aimed at promoting mental acuity.
STEM education is all about thinking critically, he said, adding that the festival complements the KLESF well because it promotes mental literacy, of which mathematics is an important aspect.
“The number of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students who failed the subject last year was very high.
“To foster interest in STEM subjects among students, we need to impart critical thinking skills in subjects like mathematics. Speed Stacks Cup and Rubik’s Cube are examples of games that enhance the mind and improve the proficiency of mathematics,” said Prof Faidz.
Some 60,000 visitors are expected to throng the fair, said Norhasrizam.
Admission is free. Details: Call 011-1888 9397 or email info@klesf.net
