JOHOR BAHRU – In an initiative designed to promote sustainability and scientific literacy, a team of lecturers from the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), organized an outreach program titled “STEM and Careers in Chemistry” at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Mutiara Rini. The program taught participants how to transform used cooking oil into eco-friendly soaps. This initiative was supported by the Knowledge Transfer Program (KTP)@Faculty 2024 Grant from the Centre for Community and Industry Network (CCIN) and the ACS Chemistry Festival Grant from the American Chemical Society (ACS) Malaysia Chapter. The program was led by ChM. Ts. Dr. Mohamad Shazwan Shah Jamil, a senior lecturer from the Department of Chemistry, assisted by several colleagues: Dr. Mohd Fuad Mohamad, ChM. Dr. Sheela Chandren, Dr. Khairil Juhanni Abd Karim, ChM. Dr. Muhammad Amirul Aizat Mohd Abdah, Dr. Muhamad Iqbal Jalaludin, Dr. Naharullah Jamaluddin, Dr. Nurul Hidayah Abdul Razak, and Dr. Najaa Mustaffa.
The program, which consisted of two parts, was attended by 34 Form 4 students from SMK Mutiara Rini. The first part included an experimental science activity, “Making Eco-Friendly Soaps from Used Cooking Oils,” conducted by ChM. Dr. Sheela Chandren. This was followed by a talk entitled “STEM and Careers in Chemistry,” presented by ChM. Dr. Muhammad Amirul Aizat Mohd Abdah.
During the three-hour session, participants learned about sustainability and the science behind transforming used cooking oils into eco-friendly soaps. They were introduced to the fundamentals of saponification—the chemical reaction that occurs when oils react with an alkali to create soap. Participants measured ingredients, mixed solutions, and added natural fragrances while gaining insights into the scientific principles underlying the process. Additionally, they were introduced to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as potential career opportunities in science and chemistry.
Each year, millions of gallons of cooking oil are discarded, leading to pollution and waste. This program not only helps reduce waste from used cooking oils but also empowers individuals to create useful products at home. Participants were excited about the practical applications of the knowledge they gained. “I never knew we could make soap from something as simple as used oil,” said one student. “It’s a fun project we can do together, and it helps the environment!” Participants were thrilled to take their homemade soap home, along with recipes and tips for further experimentation.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing interest in future STEM programs. The initiative successfully motivated students to pursue science and continue their studies in this field. Dr. Shazwan and his team plan to expand their outreach efforts by engaging more students in hands-on science activities that promote environmental sustainability and scientific exploration.
