INNOVATIVE TEAM: (From left) Bryan Marshall, Mohamad Hairol, Chew Pan Soon and Sim Ricson from SMK Tatau, Bintulu, in a jovial mood as they proudly display their solar car which came out tops in the ‘State Level Science and Technology Carnival 2011’. — Photo by Othman Ishak u Story on Page 9
SIBU: Learning from past experiences and willingness to improve themselves are the keys to success for the team from SMK Tatau, Bintulu.
The team’s teacher-in-charge, Mohamad Hairol said, to learn from past experiences meant they were looking back and were fully prepared to improve themselves towards achieving their goals.
“Our success in the Solar Car Competition which was held as one of the many activities lined up in conjunction with the ‘State Level Science and Technology Carnival 2011’ is actually the success of our beloved school, SMK Tatau, Bintulu.
“This is because, without the support from our school principal and all the other school teachers and students, we will not be able to stand where we are today,” he added with a broad smile when met after the prize-giving ceremony.
The Sibu District education officer Wong Chong Kung was among those present.
Mohamad, 33, said they had never expected to win the top spot because all the other competitors were equally good, if not better.
“However, through team spirit and hard work from the team to deliver the utmost, we are able to achieve it. It is simply unbelievable,” he added.
Mohamad said, previously, SMK Tatau has competed in the ‘State Level Science and Technology Carnival 2007’ where they had achieved the top placing and later they achieved second placing in the Solar Car Competition at the ‘National Level Science and Technology Carnival 2007’ held in Peninsular Malaysia.
“However, in the ‘National Level Science and Technology Carnival 2008’ we did not achieve anything. Thus, we learn from our past experiences on how best we can improve ourselves for the better.”
Mohamad said he strongly encouraged his team, which consisted of Bryan Marshall, Chew Pan Soon and Sim Ricson, to always sit down and discuss how to tackle any problems they faced and to apply the knowledge which they have learned from their classes to their co-curriculum activities.
Meanwhile, Sim said it only took them two hours to complete building their solar car with its aerodynamic design which only weighs 62 grammes.
The closing cum prize giving ceremony was officiated by Awangku Merali Pengiran Mohammad on behalf of the State Education director.