The Faculty of Applied Sciences, UiTM Shah Alam, successfully hosted the program “Having Fun with Science,” which was organized by fifth- and sixth-semester students from the Bachelor of Applied Chemistry program at the School of Chemistry and Environment (PPKP) on July 8, 2023. The Malaysian Analytical Sciences Society (ANALIS) and Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Anggerik Shah Alam co-hosted the event.
This program was conducted to fulfill the requirements of the “Community Engagement” (CMT680) course under the SULAM program and aimed to support the government’s aspiration to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs among school students. The program was designed using an edutainment approach to encourage school student’s interest in science subjects. The Head of the School of Chemistry and Environment, UiTM Shah Alam, Associate Professor ChM Dr. Sabiha Hanim Saleh officiated the opening ceremony. Teachers from Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Anggerik and Dr. Sharil Fadli Mohamad Zamri, a representative from ANALIS also attended this program.
A total of 80 primary school students from around Shah Alam participated in various interactive activities that were carefully planned. Five engaging activities were conducted, including Scented Candle, Saponification – Soap Making, Rust/Corrosion, Acid and Alkali, and Elephant Toothpaste. The school students were divided into five groups and moved to different laboratories in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, where they were assisted by UiTM students acting as facilitators, providing explanations, demonstrations, and helping the students in the labs.
Furthermore, the involvement of UiTM lecturers and students in community service through knowledge sharing was realized through this program, which aims to enhance STEM literacy among primary school students. Additionally, this program is expected to increase the visibility of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the community and national levels. According to the Program Advisor “Having Fun with Science,” Dr. Sabrina M. Yahya, the program provided school students with an opportunity to experience university life and offered exposure to both theoretical and practical science learning effectively and engagingly through the lab activities. The program is hoped to inspire students to develop a closer connection to science subjects and to aspire to further their education up to the university level.
Feedback from students and parents has been very encouraging. With the success of this program, it is hoped that more initiatives like this will be organized in the future to continue fostering interest in STEM fields among school students. The “Having Fun with Science” program concluded with a photo session and closing ceremony at 5:00 p.m., leaving sweet memories and valuable knowledge for all participants.