'Kembara Sains Borneo' Set To Benefit 15,000 Participants In Sabah, Sarawak

LAHAD DATU, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- This year’s Kembara Sains Borneo programme, organised by the National Science Centre, will tour districts in Sabah and Sarawak, engaging over 20 schools and benefiting 15,000 participants.

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) deputy secretary-general (Planning and Cultivation of Science) Ruziah Shafei said the programme offered an enjoyable non-formal science learning experience to rural communities in Sabah and Sarawak.

“This programme aims to cultivate community interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through interactive and creative learning methods featuring activities based on the ‘hands-on, minds-on, hearts-on’ approach,” she said.

She said this to reporters after the launch of the Kembara Sains Borneo 2024 programme, which was officiated by Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal here today.

The programme features activities such as a session with renowned scientists, Kinect sports, a drone challenge, science demonstrations, STEM challenge, a mini planetarium, and a virtual reality planet experience.

In the meantime, Ruziah said that MOSTI is collaborating with institutions such as Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) to make the Kembara Sains Borneo programme a success.

“This year, we are incorporating sessions with scientists who will discuss their personal journeys with science. For instance, yesterday we had Prof Justin Sentian from UMS, who spoke about his experiences as a scientist in Antarctica,” she said.

According to her, Kembara Sains Borneo will be made an annual event, with plans to include more schools in Sabah and Sarawak.

“In Lahad Datu, we have recorded 700 visitors out of our target of 1,500 for today, and we expect a higher turnout from local residents and students at the next event,” she added.

In his speech, Mohamad Yusof said that MOSTI is working to popularise science within the Malaysian community, including through the Kembara Sains Borneo programme which has continued on a larger scale this year.

“Kembara Sains Borneo will tour 10 districts across Sabah, starting from Lahad Datu and proceeding through Kinabatangan and Ranau with the final stop in Kota Kinabalu. It will then proceed to five districts in Sarawak, beginning in Miri and concluding in Kuching,” he said.

According to Mohammad Yusof, to strengthen the STEM agenda, it is essential to cultivate children’s interest early and MOSTI must have a strategy and work with all stakeholders to ensure this passion grows.

“The strategic partnership between the National Science Centre and Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad demonstrates the private sector’s dedication to organising science, technology, and innovation-based programmes.

“It is hoped that more public and private organisations will conduct similar interactive science activities and creative exhibitions,” he said.

-- BERNAMA