MIRI: Three student teams from Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) bagged the top three prizes at the Tech Master Challenge held in conjunction with the recent two-day STEM Playground 2023 event here.
The STEM Playground, which is held annually to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics knowledge among youth and the wider community, was held as part of the Sarawak Career Training (SCAT) Fair here.
The Tech Master Challenge, meanwhile, is an annual competition for university students organised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Curtin Malaysia Student Branch.
The Challenge allows university students to use their technological knowledge, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to innovate and create projects that address real-world issues.
Nine teams were picked to enter the finale where they had to pitch their projects to a panel of judges comprising academic and industry experts.
Team SportMou comprising Alan Tiong Ka Wei, Sia Chun Wan, and James Tai Chun Ket emerged the champion.
The team’ s project, SportMou, is an artificial intelligence-based smart sports monitoring system that provides professional cardio sports guidance in real-time.
The system is designed to be an affordable alternative to engaging a professional gym trainer for cardio exercise coaching, where only a depth camera and mobile device is required.
In second place was Team QuestUp comprising Lai Jia Yi, Hedges Yeu Zhi Chao, Lee Wei Hang, and Chong Kai Siang.
Team QuestUp’s project aims to address the challenge of enhancing student engagement and motivation on online learning platforms.
The team’ s solution uses a gamification approach to online learning, which resonates a lot better with young learners.
In third place was Team PathPal comprising Malcolm Chan Pei Zhing, Kam Siew Hui, Emily Kok Mei Jing and Ling Chong Hong.
The team’ s innovation is an affordable and user-friendly device that seamlessly integrates Arduino technology, ultrasonic sensors, and vibration motors to detect obstacles and help the visually-impaired navigate their surroundings safely.
The prizegiving for the Challenge was officiated by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
In addition to the Tech Master Challenge, the STEM Playground 2023 also featured a STEM Challenge for secondary school students, a Junior Innovate programme for primary school students, TVET Battlefield, Talent Stage, Borneo Maker Festival, Planetarium Sultan Iskandar mobile dome, and a variety of interactive STEM project showcases by students and lecturers of Curtin Malaysia’ s Faculty of Engineering and Science.
Over 10,000 people attended the STEM Playground over the two days.
