1MKIDS (1 Malaysia Kids) Programme (15 June 2013)
30 Orang Asli students from SK Air Denak, Tronoh, SK Pos Dipang, Kampar and SK Ulu Geruntum, Gopeng took part in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP)’s inaugural 1MKIDS (1 Malaysia Kids) Programme. They were joined by six other schools namely SK Tronoh, Tronoh; SK Seri Tronoh, Tronoh; SK (T) Tronoh, Tronoh; SJK (C) Yit Chee, Pusing; SK St. Bernadette’s Convent, Batu Gajah and SK Seri Iskandar, Seri Iskandar.
Organised by Faculty of Science and Information Technology (FSIT), UTP and UTP Engineering Design Exhibition 31 (SEDEX 31) team, the 1MKIDS programme aims to create awareness of cultural diversity in Malaysia among school children, promote science and technology among primary students, build interest in learning Science and Mathematics through fun and simple ways, as well as expose the students with multimedia development skills. The event was officiated by Professor Dr. Noorhana Yahya, Dean of FSIT, UTP.
For this programme, 100 students, aged 10-12 years, were selected from various schools in Kinta, Kinta Selatan and Perak Tengah. They were divided into 10 groups, with each group consisting of students from different races mixed together, namely Malays, Chinese, Indians and Orang Asli. Various hands on activities were arranged for the participants to give them a head start in Science, English and Mathematics, such as Mad Math Minutes, Sci-Hunt and Fun Movie Making. All the activities were conducted by UTP lecturers and students.
In Mad Math Minutes, students learned some quick methods and tricks of basic calculations including multiplication and division using large numbers. Sci-Hunt is an activity where students looked for clues by answering science related questions, whereas in Fun Movie Making, participants learned to create a simple multimedia presentation using Windows Macromedia software.
The event was also attended by Encik Mohd Kamal Abdul Latif, Kinta Selatan District Relation Officer, Puan Khuriza Shuib, Perak Tengah District Education Officer; as well as Encik Muhamad Subhi Pahrul Razi and Cik May Anak Kudu, representatives from the Department of Orang Asli Development (Kinta and Kampar District respectively)
Apart from 1MKIDS, other programmes initiated by UTP FSIT to develop young children’s interest and passion in Science, English and Mathematics included “Back to the Future”, “Smart Talk” and “Science on Saturday”. The Faculty has also established the RESMATH (Reach Education Society via Mathematics) Club, where its staff and students volunteer in teaching Mathematics to secondary school students in rural areas.
