STEM Open Lab programme to be expanded to other divisions – Chief Minister

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Abang Johari gets ready to catch a drone landing as Fadillah, on his right, and others look on. On Abang Johari’s left is Mohamad Kadim. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: The Sarawak government is planning to expand the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Open Lab programme to other divisions.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg told reporters this after officiating at the opening of SK Rakyat STEM Carnival at Jalan Satok yesterday.

He said the labs would be managed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, together with Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA).

“We have received encouraging feedback from pupils who have joined the lab in SK Rakyat since its establishment in 2017. There are already 10 labs in a few schools in Kuching, Saratok, Lawas and Limbang at the moment. After setting them up at the divisional level, we will expand them again to the district level,” Abang Johari said.

He said since the setting up of the lab at SK Rakyat in 2017, the pupils had been able to pick up information on STEM subjects and technology when introduced in a relaxed manner.

“After they have been exposed to the technology, they can then deepen their knowledge. By using simple and practical concepts, the students can understand easily. For example, they understood the renewable energy concept when they made a solar model out of Lego blocks.

“We are confident that through such exposure, the pupils will be more prepared technologically to play their roles in the digital world,” said Abang Johari, adding that through these labs, the local community would also be exposed to STEM and technology in order to improve their livelihood.

Earlier, Abang Johari announced grants of RM50,000 for SK Rakyat school management board and RM50,000 for its parent-teacher association (PTA) to develop the school’s infrastructure.

Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, and SK Rakyat headmistress Siti Ajar Yasin were also present at the event.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Kadim said Unimas was committed to engaging children in STEM subjects from an early age.

“Unimas has been actively involved in promoting STEM education to students, teachers, parents and the community through various avenues and programmes such as this carnival.”