Hands-on, Minds-on Challenge for Secondary School Students

17 June 2017 – IMU welcomed 42 secondary school students from SMK Seri Sentosa, Sri KL International School, SMK Bukit Jalil, SMK Seri Sentosa, SMK Taman Desa, and SM Sains Tuanku Munawir to the inaugural Hands-On, Minds-On Challenge event at its Bukit Jalil campus. The challenge aimed to inculcate interest in science and health amongst secondary school students, and at the same time to promote interactive learning through games. Students participated in a series of hands-on activities on the themes of science, health and first aid. Dr Sheba D.Mani, the Organising Chair explained that the format of the challenge incorporated a series of tasks that required students to think critically and creatively to solve problems by using materials provided. The aim of the challenge was to inspire students to experiment and test theories that they learn in the sciences. Prof Ganakumaran Subramaniam, the President of the Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (MELTA), commented that MELTA, who was the co-organiser, supported this innovative format for the competition as it strengthened the notion of experiential learning amongst secondary school students.

Chong Chee Ling from SMK Bukit Jalil indicated that the challenge was great overall. Lee Chia Hau from Sri KL International School explained her favourite part of this challenge was that there were a lot of practical involved rather than just a pen and a paper and also commented that the games at each station was fun. Besides that, Quah Koon Keat from SMK Seri Sentosa remarked that the arrangement of the games was “flawless”.

Mr Aiman Cheah, the teacher-in-charge from SMK Seri Sentosa had mentioned that the challenge was a good experience for the students, as the challenge incorporated technology as a part of the game. As for SM Sains Tuanku Munawir, their teacher-in-charge, Ms Lim, has hoped that her students will be able to apply their scientific knowledge into their daily lives and not only learn science through mere memorisation.

Eight other teams received consolation prizes of RM300 each.

The event committee comprised IMU faculty from the Department of Language, Communication and Culture, Foundation in Sciences, Applied Biomedical Science & Biotechnology and Dietetics with Nutrition. IMU students from various programmes pooled their support to facilitate the event as well.