Kembara Sains Borneo a hit in Sabah

Student taking part in an experiment prepared by the Chemistry Department.

KOTA KINABALU: A roadshow, aimed at developing the interest in science among the people, especially the young, has become a hit in Sabah.

Large crowds were seen at all three legs held at Kimanis, Kalabakan and Pensiangan.

The Kembara Sains Borneo (KSB) Series Two 2023 event, jointly organised by the National Science Centre and Malaysia Sciences Academy, has so far attracted over 22,000 people to the tours.

Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Arthur Kurup said some 3,000 people visited the first day of the show in the interior Pensiangan district that started on Friday (Sept 29), pushing the combined total of attendees to 22,408 in the three districts.

“With this, we have surpassed the 10,000 visitor target,” he said at the closing ceremony of the roadshow in Nabawan, Pensiangan on Saturday (Sept 30).

Kurup (second left) visiting the array of science exhibition booths at the event.

“With two more days left until Sunday (Oct 1), I believe the number will likely go up almost double,” added the Pensiangan MP, who was delighted to see the overwhelming response in all the locations, saying the data and feedback collected would be useful.

“We can consider organising the programme periodically to instill the culture of science, technology and innovation among the people,” said Kurup.

National Science Centre director Mismah Jimbun said at the roadshow, themed “Science Is Fun”, the local community would be able to experience the fun they would get at a real science centre.

Before arriving in Pensiangan, she said the show had been held in Kimanis from Sept 15 to 17 and Kalabakan from Sept 22 to 24.

“We prepared a host of interesting and interactive activities for the visitors, based on the ‘hands on, minds on, hearts on’ concept to introduce science, technology, engineering and mathematics to them in a fun way,” she said.

The National Science Centre had brought along interactive exhibition items worth almost RM2mil specially from Kuala Lumpur for the roadshow.