Program Pemerkasaan Sains & Teknologi Kanak-Kanak Asli Cameron Highlands
On 7 February 2024, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) organised a half-day STEM Empowerment Program at Sekolah Kebangsaan Menson, Cameron Highlands, specifically designed for Orang Asli pupils. The session began with an engaging introduction to STEM and an explanation of widely applied technologies such as Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), highlighting their significance in simplifying human life and understanding natural phenomena.
Practical, hands on activities were carried out using STEM Kits provided by Exploria, a Pahang-based company specialising in STEM education tools for schools. The programme was funded under Dasar dan Pelan Tindakan Wanita Pahang by the Pahang State Government, with an allocation of RM15,500.
A total of 100 pupils from Level 2 (Year 4–6) participated in the programme, guided by 10 teachers, 9 UTP student volunteers and 1 UTP lecturer. The closing ceremony was officiated by YBhg. Dato’ Seri Maznah Mazlan, Deputy Chair of Dasar dan Pelan Tindakan Wanita Pahang. The initiative received highly positive feedback from participating schools and the District Education Office (PPD) Cameron Highlands, which has expressed interest in extending similar programmes to other rural schools in the future.
Objectives:
To provide exposure on the importance of science and technology to students.
To attract students’ interest in science and technology through hands-on activities with STEM Kits.
To evaluate the level of students’ interest in STEM fields for future planning with schools and the Education Office.
To encourage more female students to pursue science streams at the secondary school level.
Beneficiaries:
100 pupils (participants)
10 teachers (assistant facilitators)
9 UTP student volunteers & 1 UTP lecturer (facilitators)
Guests from Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Cameron Highlands and Unit Pembangunan Wanita Pahang
The school’s headmaster
Project leader : Ts Dr Hafizan Mat Som (hafizan.msom@utp.edu.my)
