Stopping the decline of STEM enrolment
MILLENNIALS could perhaps be the most fortunate children of all generation so far.
They are born into a technologically advanced era and are blessed with the best their parents can afford — be it education, latest gadgets, well-being, and more.
Some of their parents even take a further step, planning every little detail to ensure their children would secure a good job upon graduation.
The Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) organising committee chairman, Prof Lee Sze Wei, says parents who are concerned about the employability of their children, should encourage them to join the Science stream – known as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
“STEM education creates a wide career choice,” says the professor whose study of over 40 schools in Klang Valley since October found that the percentage of students taking STEM subjects is declining at a rapid pace.
He stresses that society, parents in particular, need to break away from the perception that a STEM education is unnecessary if the child doesn’t plan to become a scientist or engineer.
“Students themselves should also learn to conquer their fear towards Mathematics and Science, they are not that difficult with a little bit of practice,” he says.
This is why the KLESF would be an informative platform for people of all age groups to truly understand STEM education and its significance, adds Prof Lee.
Entering its 4th edition this year, the KLESF is set to be bigger and better, with fun, interactive and interesting activities for parents and students to familiarise themselves with the STEM sector. It will be held from Nov 3 to Nov 5 at the MINES International Exhibition & Convention Centre. Admission is free.
The fair was first organised in 2013 by the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Asean Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET), Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).
Prof Lee says it aims to enhance interest in STEM and emphasises practical and handson skills.
“A lot of children cannot learn just by theoretical thinking. They have to see, touch and feel to absorb new knowledge,” he explains, and adds that more than 20 private and public universities will host all kinds of actives for the children at the fair.
Over 50 companies, as well as multiple government agencies, will be exhibitors at this year’s fair.
One of the main activity is the KLESF challenge – a STEM international competition where students (in teams of three) have to exhibit their creations during the fair and be judged.
Other activities include the 13th Malaysia Festival of The Mind 2017 by MMLM, RAC’17 rero Annual Championship by Cytron Technologies Sdn Bhd, 2nd International Junior Chem-E Car Competition by IEM, and Pistek, an annual Science competition organised by the Education Ministry.
KLESF 2017 will have exhibitors from China and Hong Kong for the first time.
KLESF steering committee chairman Datuk Hong Lee Pee describes STEM as a “gateway into many fields”.
He points out that students would be trained to possess analytical capabilities and logical thinking skills – which are absolutely necessary in the workforce in the future – if they pursue a STEM education until Form Five at the very least
“If the percentage of students in STEM continues to decline, Malaysia would have a severe shortage of skilled workers,” he says, citing China and India, as countries that are also concerned about the rapid decrease of STEM students and workforce.
“Teachers and headmasters are more aware of the importance of STEM education, but we need more help from all parties to boost interest in STEM.
“Starting STEM at a young age will engrain it into children’s minds, sparking their interest to continue with STEM education,” says Datuk Hong.
Some of fair’s largest partners include IEM, MIGHT, as well as German pharmaceutical firm Bayer, which is one of KLESF’s largest industrial exhibitors.
IEM president Dr Tan Yean Chin hopes the fair can plant the seed of STEM interest in the young.
However, he says it is the parents who must be “tackled” first.
“Parents need to be convinced that having a STEM education would help their children secure a proper job in the future,” he says, citing research from Success Performance Solution which found that 50% of jobs will disappear in the future and will be replaced by STEM jobs that require a great deal in analytical thinking.
He also notes that art stream jobs will involve some form of Science, Mathematics and Physics as well.
MIGHT programme director Norhasrizam Hashim says KLESF would help the public understand why Science is important and to love Science.
He highlights that STEM isn’t boring and urges more industries to give more exposure to students and parents.
“We want to expose the young to more STEM and spark their interest,” he says.
Bayer communications manager Karen Koh Yah Hui says children who visit the company’s booth at the fair are in for a fun treat.
She reveals that Bayer’s exhibition area called the “Bayer Science Festival” will consist of eight booths for children to have hands-on experiments, free of charge.
“Similar to Kidzania, children will be able to take on roles such as nutritionist, engineer, chemist, cardiologist and more to understand what the experts do.
“Bayer also has another section, which is an animal petting corner where children could interact with them and at the same time learn what a zoologist does for a living,” she says, adding that there will not be any theoretical learning.
“It’s more about touching, feeling and doing the job,” she says.
Children aged from four to 12 are encouraged to join.
They will receive a certificate upon completion.
KLESF aims to have over 60,000 participants this year, 6,000 more than last year.
For more information, head to https:// www.klesf.net/.