KUCHING – A team of cross-discipline academics from Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus together with Serian District Education Office (PPD) recently organised a STREAM (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) workshop and research project for over 100 secondary school students and teachers of schools under Serian PPD.
Held on 30 November 2022 at SMK Tebakang, the workshop was led by Shella Georgina Beatrice, Course Coordinator for the School of Foundation Studies, while the research project was led by Dr Yii Kwang Jing, Discipline Leader for Accounting and Finance at Swinburne Sarawak.
The STREAM workshop was facilitated by Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science Senior Lecturer Ts Dr Irine Runnie, assisted by other team members, Dr Ling Chui Ching, Su Sueh Ing, Esther John Perry, as well as two students from Swinburne Sarawak Postgraduate Research Society, Luke Shakti Weissman and Bong Zhang Ru.
STREAM activities held during the session included Tangram connected to Mathematics and Arts (Geometry), Candy Chromatograph linked to Science and Paper Ball Run Challenge related to Engineering and Physics.
The objectives of the workshop were to create awareness and nurture research interest in environmental sustainability in the rural community; enhance the interest of students in STREAM and help them become self-directed learners via interactive educational activities; and develop problem-solving, creativity and innovative skills in applying STREAM through activity-based learning in response to the Swinburne Strategic Plan 2025.
The Swinburne team along with a group of students.
The interactive workshop and research project were well-received with enthusiastic participation and lively engagement among the students and teachers. Within the allocated time, the students developed models to display their creative and innovative ideas.
The Swinburne team received positive feedback from the students that they had enjoyed the hands-on activities and the fun challenge towards the end.
The team extended its gratitude to all who contributed to accomplishing this STREAM workshop and research project. In particular, the team thanked the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development for providing the education programme grant and the Ministry of Education for approving the research project.
With the awarded grant, the team hopes to continuously inspire others to reach out and support Swinburne as a world-class university that shares the importance of STREAM via relevant and practical learning activities revolving around technology, creativity, and innovation. It also hopes to carry out new strategies to inspire interest in STREAM among young and future scientists.