MIRI: Students and staff of the School of Pre-U and Continuing Education (SPACE) and Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics of the Faculty of Business of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) took part in the Highly Immersive Programme (HIP) Funtastic STEAM event at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tudan recently.
In addition to students from SK Tudan, students from SK Lutong, SK Senadin and SJK (C) Chung Hua Tudan also took part in the event aimed at sparking the students’ curiosity and interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) subjects, as well as provide an immersive English language environment to improve the use of English among primary school students.
Over 1, 200 students in Years 1 to 6 enjoyed the myriad of activities at the eight booths set up by Curtin students and staff.
The event was a collaboration between SK Tudan and Curtin Malaysia as part of the Highly Immersive Programme (HIP) initiated by the Ministry of Education since 2016 and sponsored by Yayasan Sarawak and the parent-teacher association (PIBG) of SK Tudan.
The opening of the event was officiated by the school headmistress Jamilah Mail, representative of Miri District Education Office (PPD Miri) Josclyn Lemok Empungan and Head of the Department of Science and Technology of SPACE, Hii Kiew Ling.
“STEAM education is important to develop students’ 21st Century skills which are very much needed in today’s ever-changing world, and it should be started earlier when children are mentally and physically active,” said Hii.
The eight booths on Chemistry, Physics, Programming, Science Showcase, Arts, Finance, Mathematics, and Water Rocket Activity, featured innovative interactive activities that prompted the students to speak in English while fulfilling their interest in STEAM.
Meanwhile, members of the Curtin Malaysia Institution of Electric and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Student Chapter showcased their Tesla Coil, Float Bulb and Real Time Object Detection activities to demonstrate the concept of electromagnetism to the students.
According to Director of SPACE, Dr. Fidella Tiew, the HIP Funtastic STEAM was a very fruitful event for both SK Tudan and Curtin Malaysia, serving its purpose of promoting STEAM and English to the students well.
She said both institutions look forward to more collaborations for the benefit of the local community.
