All things STEM at KLESF
BACK for the fifth year, the Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF) is set to be bigger and better, with fun, interactive and interesting activities for parents and students to familiarise themselves with science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).
“The KLESF is open to all and would be an informative platform for people of all age groups to truly understand STEM education and its significance.
“We’re hoping to welcome over 70,000 visitors to KLESF this year compared to the 60,000 last year,” said KLESF organising committee chairman Prof Dr Lee Sze Wei.
The partners of the KLESF comprise the Asean Academy of Engineering and Technolo, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysian IndustryGovernment Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and the Institution of Engineers Malaysia.
Prof Lee said there will be various programmes and activities that aim to promote interest in STEM among primary and secondary school students.
One of the main events is the KLESF International Challenge 2018, which is divided into two categories with one for children below 12 and the other for those aged 13 to 18.
“Schools which want to take part in this challenge have registered
and their students will be bringing their STEM projects to the KLESF to be judged by the experts,” said Prof Lee who is also Tunku Abdul Rahman University College president.
Datuk Hong Lee Pee from the Academy of Sciences Malaysia said for the next wave of growth, people can’t do away with maths and physics.
“These are important factors for innovation,” he added.
Other activities include Hands-
on Experiments where various science demonstrations and experiments in chemistry, biology, physic, mathematics or IT would be conducted; Hands-on Workshops; Rero Annual Championship 2018 (National Level Robotics and Coding Competition); Third International Junior Chem-E Car Competition 2018 and the National Science & Engineering Innovation Challenge 2018.
Other events include the Industry STEM Exhibition, which focuses on how STEM plays its roles in various businesses and industries; Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Pavilion & MyMaker Exhibition; and the Science of Magic where magicians would perform magic and illustrate how scientific principles are applied to enable many magic tricks.
Universities, research institutions, government agencies as well as special interest groups would also be carrying out experiments.
UTAR vice president (R&D and Commercialisation) Prof Dr Faidz Abd Rahman said the 14th Malaysia Festival of the Mind by the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement would also be held.
MIGHT programme director Norhasrizam Hashim said KLESF would help the public understand why science is important and to love science.
“We want to expose the young to more STEM and spark their interest,” he said.
He urged teachers to also visit the KLESF as they could learn from the various activities being held and bring the experiences back to school.
Hong hoped more parents would go together with their children and learn about interesting projects such as robotics or the science behind the magic.
The KLESF would be held from 9am to 6pm from Nov 2 to Nov 4 at the MINES International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC), Jalan Dulang, MINES Wellness City, Seri Kembangan, Selangor. Admission is free.
For more information, visit www.klesf.net or www.facebook. com/KLESF.