NSC's mobile science bus to cover 14 schools across Sarawak
Chang (second right) presents the NSC education kit to a representative of Sarikei District Education Office. — Photo by Jude Toyat
KOTA SAMARAHAN (May 6): Fourteen schools across Sarawak will be buzzing with hands-on science activities and interactive exhibits as the National Science Centre's (NSC) mobile science exhibition bus is making its rounds this May 7 to 20.
The schools are SMK Wira Penrissen and SK Jalan Muara Tuang in Kota Samarahan; SMK Simunjan No 1 in Simunjan; SMK Serian in Serian; SMK Lubok Antu and SK San Semanju in Lubok Antu; SMK St Augustine and SJK Chung Hua Betong in Betong; SMK Bahasa Malaysia Saratok and SK Abang Abdul Rahman in Saratok; SMK St Anthony and SK Udin in Sarikei; and SMK Julau No 2 and SK Nanga Entabai in Julau.
The expedition is part of the Kembara Sains Borneo (KSB) 2025 initiative under the flagship program National Science Week (MSN), organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) specifically for the people of Sarawak and Sabah, in collaboration with the NSC and main sponsor, Yayasan Mr DIY.
'KSB 2025 will kick off in Kota Samarahan, covering 14 selected schools across Sarawak before concluding in Julau. The expedition will then continue to 16 schools in Sabah, beginning in Tawau and ending in Lahad Datu.
'This journey will involve at least 30 selected schools, with an estimated 30,000 participants benefiting from the programme,' said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, in his officiating speech at the launch of the National Science Week 2025 in Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Samarahan Campus late Sunday.
In this regard, Chang said that Mosti was serious in its mission to popularise science among Malaysians.
'Various initiatives to promote science, technology, and innovation (STI) have been launched, including this traveling exhibition in Borneo,' he said.
He added that since 2023, the KSB initiative had been bringing STI learning directly to rural and remote areas in Sarawak and Sabah, making science more accessible and enjoyable.
Themed 'Sains Itu Menyeronokkan' (Science is Fun), the KSB 2025 expedition will feature NSC's mobile exhibition bus and science activity van, offering engaging experiences to around 30,000 students across the 30 selected schools.
'The Madani Government views STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) talent development as a serious priority, in line with the nation's goal of producing more local professionals in the field to achieve high-tech nation status by 2030.
'In line with this, Mosti is committed to working closely with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, and strategic partners to promote a culture of STI through continuous out-of-classroom programmes targeted especially at children and school students to strengthen the National STEM Agenda,' he said.
At the event, Chang also presented the NSC education kits containing interactive STEM activity materials and usage guides for informal learning sessions to eight district Education offices that would be visited by the Kembara Sains Borneo during MSN 2025 in Sarawak. bus education National Science Centre schools science exhibition
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Petrosains Discovery Rover delivers STEM to Sabah rural communities
Guests and students at SJK (C) Kuok Ming, Tawau, gather around Petrosains Discovery Rover. TAWAU (June 21): Petrosains is reaching out to communities and students in rural and remote areas across more than nine districts in Sabah through its latest outreach initiative, the Petrosains Discovery Rover. This initiative features a mobile exhibition truck, which brings interactive exhibits and engaging activities designed to spark interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education among students, while also equipping teachers with the necessary tools and techniques to enhance STEM delivery in classrooms. Among the activities featured in this travelling outreach are: Math Kit: A hands-on game module designed to strengthen numeracy through interactive problem-solving tasks. Drone Challenge: Encouraging students to explore basic principles of flight and programming. Carbon-O-Polly: A game-based activity focused on environmental sustainability and carbon literacy. Da Vinci Bridge: A game challenge utilising physics and creative thinking. Science Show: Live demonstrations to illustrate scientific concepts in an exciting and accessible way. Teachers' Upskilling Session: Professional development activities aimed at enhancing STEM teaching methodologies among educators. The launch ceremony was officiated by Syahrin Samsir, Sabah's Deputy Permanent Secretary II of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (KSTI); representing Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Bin Mohd Kassim, Permanent Secretary of KSTI Sabah; together with Mohammad Fuad Bin Rahman, Director of National Science Centre (PSN); Maria Teo, Senior General Manager of Global HR Partners for Project, Technology & Health, Safety, Security & Environment (PT&HSSE), Petronas; Ahmad Munir Akram Ahmad Faiz, General Manager of Human Capital Investment, Petronas; and Ezarisma Azni Mohamad, Chief Executive Officer of Petrosains. It was held at SJK(C) Kuok Ming, Tawau, in conjunction with Kembara Sains Borneo 2025. During the launch, Ezarisma Azni Mohamad, Chief Executive Officer of Petrosains said: 'As a social impact arm under Petronas, Petrosains is committed to democratising access to science and technology education, with a clear mission to spark interest, open up opportunities, and ultimately help individuals realise their full potential in STEM education.' He said: 'Sabah is the first and only state to host Petrosains Discovery Rover this year, making this launch profoundly significant for us. This emphasises our commitment to providing inclusive access to education, particularly in driving STEM literacy and empowering future talent, especially in rural and underserved communities.' The initiative is expected to benefit more than 5,000 students statewide. This effort complements Petrosains' long-standing presence in the state through its satellite centre, Petrosains PlaySmart Kota Kinabalu, which has welcomed over one million visitors since its inception in 2012. Petronas continues to uphold its commitment to advancing education and human capital development in Sabah through various high-impact initiatives. These include support for the establishment of the Tawau and Sandakan Science Centres, aimed at nurturing interest in science and technology through interactive exhibits and educational programmes. In 2023, a Petronas-led programme in Tawau involved the participation of 520 students and 65 teachers to raise awareness about the Petronas Education Sponsorship Programme (PESP). In August 2024, Yayasan Petronas launched an initiative to enhance internet connectivity at SMK Wallace Bay, Pulau Sebatik, benefiting 25 teachers and 293 students, with plans to expand to the surrounding community. The school also hosts teacher Azrinsyah Abdul Aziz, a participant of the Program Duta Guru – Yayasan Petronas' flagship initiative aimed at upskilling 4,500 STEM teachers in underprivileged schools nationwide by 2030. In addition, through the WeHelp Programme led by the Sabah State Education Department in collaboration with Yayasan Petronas, Petronas Floating LNG, UTP, and SLB, Petronas has contributed 17,190 scientific calculators to students across the state. The event also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Petronas and two institutions – Institut Latihan Teknik dan Perdagangan Papar and Kolej Teknologi Yayasan Sabah – under the Petronas Vocational Institution Sponsorship and Training Assistance (VISTA) programme, further strengthening vocational education in Sabah. Kembara Sains Borneo, running as part of the National Science Week initiative, covers selected areas in southern Sarawak and ends in Tawau, Sabah. The programme, organised by Pusat Sains Negara (PSN), supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and strategic partners including the National Planetarium, Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia, and Petrosains, seeks to provide hands-on science learning opportunities for students in the remote areas across Sarawak and Sabah.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Yayasan Petronas adopts 50 schools under Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative
PUTRAJAYA: Yayasan Petronas has adopted 50 schools nationwide in the government's Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative, with a key focus on enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Its chief executive officer, Nelly Francis, said the foundation's involvement is centred on schools that currently participate in its Duta Guru Programme (PDG), a long-term initiative aimed at strengthening STEM teaching and learning. "Under this initiative, we have selected 50 schools out of the 1,000 nationwide that are already involved in our PDG. "These schools were chosen based on specific criteria, including their active participation in our existing programmes," she told reporters when met after the launch of the initiative today. The launch was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. Nelly said priority was given to schools located in rural areas, with the majority of them in Sabah, Sarawak, Terengganu and Johor, as well as several schools in Kedah, Perak and Kelantan. As part of the support, she said teachers from the selected schools will undergo a two-year professional development programme designed to equip them with skills to cultivate students' interest in STEM and guide them towards pursuing careers in the field. "It is not just about improving the teaching environment, but also inspiring students to view STEM as a viable and exciting career path," she said. Apart from empowering teachers, Yayasan Petronas also runs programmes for students under the Student Innovation Centre, provides contributions to improve school science laboratories, and develops STEM hubs in six regions. "We have completed STEM hubs in Tanjung Garam, Kuala Terengganu and Miri, Sarawak, while new hubs in Sabah, Johor, Melaka and Perak are currently under construction," she said. Nelly said these STEM hubs serve as platforms for teachers to further refine and apply the skills gained through PDG, as well as collaborate with other educators in their districts to enrich classroom learning. "All students in the adopted schools will be involved, particularly those who are pursuing STEM-related subjects," she said. Nelly reaffirmed that advancing STEM education remains one of Yayasan Petronas' core missions. "Right now, one of our key targets is to increase students' participation in STEM. We believe through sustained collaboration with teachers and schools, we can help shape the future of Malaysia's STEM talents," she said.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
UTAR's Centre for Foundation Studies Kampar is shaping future talents through school outreach
A foundation for the next generation, science for tomorrow — the NextGen Science 2025 committee celebrating the success of the event. When it comes to pre-university education, students and parents seek more than just academic excellence. They value meaningful experiences that ignite curiosity, build confidence and nurture real-world skills. At the Centre for Foundation Studies (CFS), Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Kampar Campus, learning extends beyond textbooks. It is about inspiring the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and changemakers. Over the years, CFS Kampar has taken proactive steps to organise impactful educational outreach initiatives that engage school students and foster a love for learning. Through these projects, the centre has not only affirmed its role as a leading provider of foundation education but has also positioned itself as an active contributor to youth development and community enrichment. A key highlight among its outreach programmes is the 'NextGen Science 2025', held recently at the UTAR Kampar campus. Organised by CFS Kampar in collaboration with the Confucius Institute at UTAR, the two-day event drew together hundreds of curious young minds from various secondary schools to explore the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Designed to ignite scientific interest through interactive exhibitions, hands-on experiments and lively science-themed competitions, the event served as a creative and inspiring platform for secondary and pre-university students. Not only did participants engage with UTAR lecturers and student facilitators, but they also experienced first-hand the excitement of scientific discovery in a vibrant campus setting. The success of NextGen Science 2025 demonstrated UTAR's dedication to cultivating interest in STEM from an early age, while also promoting science literacy and innovation among school students. Another notable initiative was 'Knowledge Masters Quiz Challenge 2024', which attracted more than 380 enthusiastic students from over 35 schools across Perak and Selangor. Organised by CFS Kampar, the event provided a lively platform for students to test their general knowledge, quick thinking, and teamwork in a competitive yet enjoyable setting. Complementing these outreach programmes was the 'Microbotics and Edukit Design Workshop', and specifically designed for Tamil school students in the Kinta Selatan district. This hands-on workshop introduced participants to the basics of robotics and circuitry using beginner-friendly Edukits and microcontroller programming. Further strengthening its connection with local schools, CFS Kampar has also collaborated with Shen Jai High School to host the annual '5cience Xplain' science fair, since 2022. This engaging fair is designed to spark scientific curiosity through interactive exhibits, live experiments and creative presentations delivered by UTAR Foundation students. Now in its third consecutive year, 5cience Xplain has consistently showcased the talent and innovation of UTAR students, who take the lead in designing demonstrations that make science fun and accessible. With topics ranging from chemistry to physics, the fair not only entertains but also motivates school students to think critically and explore scientific concepts with enthusiasm. Events such as 5cience Xplain also exemplify meaningful collaboration between higher education institutions and secondary schools. They provide students with a glimpse into future academic pathways and career opportunities in science and technology, cultivating aspirations from a young age. What truly distinguishes CFS Kampar is the active participation of its Foundation students and academic staff in these outreach projects. Every initiative is carefully planned to encourage student involvement, not only among school students but also UTAR's own Foundation students, who contribute as organisers, facilitators, and mentors. UTAR offers over 140 programmes, from Foundation Studies to Bachelor's, Master's and PhD degrees in diverse fields such as Accounting, Business, Finance and Economics, Actuarial Science, Mathematics and Process Management, Agriculture and Food Science, Arts, Social Sciences and Education, Chinese Studies, Creative Industries, Digital Animation, Multimedia and Design, Engineering and Built Environment, Information and Communication Technology, Life and Physical Sciences, as well as Medicine and Health Sciences. To learn more, visit or contact 05-468 8888 (Kampar campus) or 03-9086 0288 (Sungai Long campus). Feel free to walk in or call for any enquiries on weekdays from 9am to 5pm (closed on public holidays).
