A Community Service Responsibility (CSR) collaboration project at Kampung Layang-Layang Kanan, Parit, Perak was organized on the 15th January 2022. Kampung Layang-Layang Kanan is a traditional village located along Sungai Perak, which allows the villagers to leverage on its fish farming activities for ikan tilapia and ikan patin.
The half-a-day event was initiated by Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) and collaborated with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, and Nilai University (NU) Negeri Sembilan, with committee members of the Women Engineers Section, The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (WE-IEM).
The volunteers comprised of 49 participants, represented by 7 WE members, 10 academic staff and 32 university students. The event was officiated by YBhg. Parlimen Parit, Dato’ Mohd Nizar bin Hj Zakaria. It was attended by YBhg. ADUN Belanja, En. Khairudin bin Abu Hanapiah, Penolong Pegawai Daerah Perak Tengah, Penghulu Tertinggi Perak Tengah, Penghulu Mukim Layang-Layang, Parit, Nor Shahidah Ahamad together with the four Jawatankuasa Pembangunan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JPKK).
The CSR collaboration project showcased several concurrent activities, targeted for adults, primary and secondary school children as well as kindergarten and pre-school children. Among the activities include workshop on bokashi composting by UTP, motivational talk on ‘Jom Kenali Jurutera’ and workshop on ‘Moh Bancuh Konkrit!’ by WE, ‘Sukaneka’ by UiTM, ‘Moh main@Toy Library Box’ by UTM and NU, activity ‘Guna Air, Mentol Menyala’ and ‘Sembang Keusahawanan’ by UTM.
Focusing this article on activities by UTM, ‘Moh Main@ToyBox’, colouring and various sorts of games were conducted with NU for about 30 preschool and kindergarten children. During toy library session, the children were divided into six groups and each group was given STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) toys to play with. The university students from both UTM and NU worked together to facilitate the entire session to ensure the children learned while playing and having fun.
The session helps improve fine motor skills and enhance their cognitive ability. As STEM toys are fun and enjoyable, children will become less intimidated by STEM topics as they age.
Next, each group of kids were given a set of colouring sheets with pictures of different careers. The colouring activity aims to develop their creativity and motor skills and encourages them to think about STEM careers.
Additionally, the children were also taught how to make a paper airplane with basic introduction about forces and motion. They then proceed to make and fly their own paper airplanes. Judging session was done based on creativity, distance and length of the flight. The observations were made on how the children behave, think and communicate with their team members while testing and improving the plane design to achieve better results.
Iterating is a key problem-solving technique in all engineering disciplines. The process helps them develop a scientific mindset and better problem-solving skills whilst having lots of fun! The university student volunteers also observed that children at the ages of 4 to 6 years old will always have room to increase their knowledge and learn new things. By playing with them in the correct way, we can encourage and motivate them to increase their skills and competencies in various aspects, such as social, physical, cognitive, and emotional.
UTM also conducted a technology-based activity under the theme of ‘Guna Air, Mentol Menyala’ (Pico Hydro Turbine) for the primary school students. A hydro turbine is a water machine system which is used to generate electricity. The hydro turbine developed by UTM researchers (named IRITS) for this experiment consists of blades, nozzles, a generator, and a housing made from recycled materials.
The experiment focused on energy. Students were introduced to the definition of energy, types of energy, energy sources, renewable and non-renewable energy. Energy is defined as the ability or capacity to do work and cause changes in a material. Energy is not lost but changes form when something is applied to the energy.
A total of 28 students from primary school age participated in the experimental activities to generate electricity from water. By using IRITS, the students learnt about hydroelectric power which can help them understand better about the concept of renewable energy.
There were two other activities conducted by UTM for the adults which is ‘Sembang Keusahawanan’. A sharing session about starting food and beverages restaurant business was done and a talk entitled ‘Creative Technique to Generate Business Ideas’ was held. The activities attracted 23 participants, all of whom are women.
