KUCHING: The Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (Tegas) expects to register at least 150,000 visitors for the ‘Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Playground 2020’, says Assistant Minister of Urban Development and Resources Datu Len Talif Salleh.
The one-week event will kick off this Sept 28 and for this edition, the organiser will feature the ‘STEM Playground Virtual Fair’ for the first time.
In this respect, all activities will be run virtually and streamed via stemplayground.my.
Len Talif (centre) speaks during the press conference on STEM Playground 2020.
This makes STEM Playground 2020 possibly the first and the largest virtual fair of its kind not only in Sarawak, but also in Malaysia, says Len Talif who is also Tegas chairman.
“STEM Playground is a high-impact programme that is popular among students
“Themed ‘Discover, Create, Innovate’, the STEM Playground Virtual Fair sets out to cultivate the interest in STEM subjects in primary, secondary and tertiary students.
“In the context of Sarawak, the ‘E’ in STEM is also for English, as the MESTR (Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research) emphasises the learning of English in school.
“The virtual fair also promotes STEM education as an easy and interesting subject to learn, and provides creative and innovative teaching support system outside the classroom,” he said in a press conference here yesterday to announce STEM Playground 2020.
Introduced in 2016, the annual event is run by Tegas in collaboration with MESTR, Education Department Sarawak, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).
On participation, Len Talif said the maiden STEM Playground that was run simultaneously in Kuching, Sibu and Miri, managed to reach out to around 40,000 students.
“Tegas is targeting to reach out to 150,000 or more students in Sarawak. For students who enjoy good Internet connectivity, they can go online.
“However, for students living in the rural areas with poor Internet access, they would be provided with ‘pendrives’ (USB drive devices), and they can still enjoy the similar content as those of their friends who are going online,” he said, while advising those interested to sign up early via stemplayground.my.
“Registration is free,” he added.
According to him, the STEM Playground Virtual Fair will have four segments – the official launching ceremony, the ‘STEM Fun Segment’, the ‘STEM Facts Gallery’, and the ‘STEM Games and Challenges’.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is set to officiate at the event this Sept 28.
Elaborating on the ceremony, Len Talif said registered visitors would be ‘virtually taken to the official launch before the presentation of a video gimmick for the event’.
“Then, the visitors will be given three segment options – each providing different activities, challenges and STEM experiences,” he said, adding that the ‘STEM Fun Segment’ would be the highlight of the virtual fair with all activities to be presented via video and 3D platforms.
“All activities will enhance and stimulate students’ learning in STEM. Visitors can also learn about the history of STEM development and how it can benefit everyone through the STEM Facts Gallery.
“There will be fun and interactive STEM Games and Challenges for visitors of all ages. Quizzes and an online STEM fighting game will be run, and winners will be given special prizes,” he added.
Len Talif said every visitor would be required to complete and submit a feedback form upon starting the exploration, and they could redeem limited-edition ‘STEM Playground Virtual Fair’ goodies, which would be delivered to them after the event concluded.
For more information, go to Tegas Facebook page (facebook.com/tegastf) or call Tegas Outreach Programmes manager Fredick Kevin Buseli on 013-822 7569 / Tegas Digital Innovations senior executive Syukri Arabi on 014-687 3069.