Exploring Science Through Fun Where Magic Unleashed: UTM’s Science Camp 2024 Inspires Future Innovators

Centre for Sustainable Nanomaterials (CSNano)

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 15 – To engage primary school students with the wonders of science, a STEM program titled “Science Camp 2024” was organized by the Centre for Sustainable Nanomaterials (CSNano), Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (ISI-SIR), and the Faculty of Science (FS) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The event was co-organized by Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) (SJK(C)) Woon Hwa in Kangkar Pulai, Johor, and Asia Metropolitan University, Johor.

Held from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM, the camp attracted 194 students from Primary 5 and 6 at SJK(C) Woon Hwa. They were led by Assoc. Prof. ChM. Dr. Lee Siew Ling, this program was part of CSNano’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, aimed at promoting science and fostering interest and motivation among primary school students. The event was generously sponsored by the UTM Centre for Community and Industry Network (CCIN), the James Dyson Foundation, Daya Awana Industri Sdn. Bhd., Bashob Analytical PLT, and the Association of Teachers and Parents (PIBG) of SJK(C) Woon Hwa, enabling significant participation.

Key UTM committee members involved in the program included Assoc. Prof. Ts. ChM. Dr. Nik Ahmad Nizam Nik Malek (Programme Advisor), Assoc. Prof. ChM. Dr. Lee Siew Ling (Programme Director), Assoc. Prof. ChM. Dr. See Hong Heng (Vice Programme Director), Siti Nur Sakinah Ahmad (Programme Secretary), Nurshamimi Atikah Zareman (Vice-Secretary), Dr. Siti Maryam Izan (Vice-Secretary II), Faradiba Soaib (Treasurer), Norlita Paiman (Vice Treasurer), Assoc. Prof. ChM. Dr. Roswanira Abd Wahab (Head of the Sponsorship Unit), Dr. Koh Meng Hock (Head of the Program Unit), Nurul Adhah Saini (Head of the Publicity Unit), Shahrul Nizam Mahmod (Head of the Technical Unit), as well as Mr. Mohammed Rafiq Aziz and Mr. Mohd Shazaril Mohd Zain from the Technical Unit.

The postgraduate and undergraduate students who served as program committee members and facilitators included: Lee Ching Shien (Program Chair), Eng Jia Jia (Vice Program Chair), Alice Sim Hui Li (Secretary), Ling Chui Min (Treasurer), Tin Qi Jie, Nurul Laila Nabilah Zuklipli, Aina Zahira Rohaizam, Fiony Soh Zhouni, Ong Boon Tong, Chew Jia Le, See Shu Yan, Tan Li Ying, Foo Ji Yan, Lee Sheau Wei, Liew Pei Sze, Tan Chee Chuan, Woo Joo Leong, Ng Bang Xuan, Yee Shi Wee, Pung Ye Tim, Bong Lai Zhi, Liau Ling Shing, Roy Quah Zhi Ming, Yong Hui Yin, Liew Thien Hee, and Chew Yi Sheng.

A total of 194 Primary 5 and 6 students from SJK(C) Woon Hwa participated in this exciting camp. The program featured various hands-on activities, with students grouped into five teams. Each group rotated through different stations where UTM facilitators explained and demonstrated experiments related to Archimedes’ screw, Boyle’s law, carbonization reactions, surface tension of various liquids, and neutralization reactions. These diverse activities sparked students’ curiosity and helped them apply scientific concepts to real-life scenarios.

After each demonstration, students had the chance to conduct the experiments themselves, providing a fun and engaging way to reinforce their learning. Additionally, they were required to write down their observations and conclusions in their handbooks, which strengthened their understanding of the scientific process and encouraged critical thinking as they documented the outcomes of each experiment. Prizes were awarded during a quiz session, adding an element of fun and competition.

Both the organizing committee and the school administrative staff were pleased with the outcomes of “Science Camp 2024.” The hands-on experiments and interactive sessions successfully inspired students to develop a more profound interest in science and motivated them to continue exploring the field beyond the classroom. The camp reflected CSNano’s and the Faculty of Science’s ongoing commitment to promoting science education in local communities, fostering curiosity, and nurturing future scientists.