SMK Tamparuli to represent Sabah in Petrosains competition

KOTA KINABALU: SMK Tamparuli students will represent the state at the national-level Petrosains Science Show Competition for the fifth time this year.

Elvyronna Anthony and Roma Izzabelle Joseph said they were both grateful for the opportunity to compete at the national competition on October 26 in Putrajaya, after their unsuccessful attempt the year before.

“We submitted a video entry last year but we were not shortlisted as one of the top 10 teams to compete at the statelevel before advancing to the finals,” they said.

The Form Five girls revealed that they had spent late nights practising for yesterday’s event, but that the effort was worth it in the end.

They thanked their supporters who motivated them throughout their preparation, as well as their dedicated teacher.

“A lot of people came to support us in this competition and our teacher has been very motivational as well.

“We still have a lot to improve upon before we go for the finals, but we hope to do our best and make our supporters proud,” they added.

SMK Tamparuli Biology teacher Ernest Kelly Subin said he was very happy his students clinched the title of champion because the school was involved in three major science competitions this year.

“In just a few days, we have another team that will go to Cyberjaya to compete in another science competition.

“We were quite pressed for time during the preparation process, so I’m glad that the students managed to come out on top nevertheless,” he said.

SMK Tamparuli represented the state five times at the national level since 2013, claiming the national champion title in 2015.

This year’s winning team presented experiments on light, primary colours and pressure, which they said they were most confident with and selected after group discussions.

In its ninth instalment, the Petrosains Science Show Competition recorded its highest number of entries in the history of the competition this year, with 1,800 nationwide.

Petrosains chief executive officer Tengku Nasariah Tengku Syed Ibrahim expressed hope that through the competition, students would gain more confidence and heighten their ability to become creative and critical thinkers.

“We also hope students will attain experiences that will develop and enhance their science process skills,” she said.

Petrosains Science Show Competition state-level champions from SMK Tamparuli (centre), flanked by first runner-up from SMK St Mary’s, Papar (left) and second runner-up from SMK Sanzac.