Making science interesting
THE advent of the technological age has bred a new generation of kids whose interest in science seems to be diminishing. This generation grew up with gadgets in their hands all the time and have a very short attention span.
The challenge to make science interesting for the next generation is one uphill battle that requires coherent thinking.
Assoc Prof Dr Emily Goh is under no illusion as to the challenges she faces as Monash University Malaysia Head of School.
For many students, science may seem like a web of tangled intricacies, as the depth of the subject means you barely scratch the surface with a few learning sessions.
“Interest in science needs to be instilled at a very young age. We need to nurture our children with a love for science and that is the change I would like bring about as Head of School,” said Assoc Prof Goh.
“The rapid advances in science and technology will greatly impact the lives of our children. There are many science workshops we run every year, such as ‘Cracking the code of life’ where students learn to design a simple DNA extraction kit and fat extraction workshop, which provides students a handson experience on extraction of oil from potato chips and subsequently, compare the amount and physical properties of oil in various brands of potato chips.
“We have also collaborated with BASF Malaysia to organise the annual BASF Kids Lab, where kids aged six to 12 perform simple chemistry experiments to apply their chemistry knowledge to daily life. ”
Changes in teaching and the dissemination of information have also been necessitated by the disruptive world we live in. Didactic methods where teaching is governed by teachers and students listen can seem a little out of place with the current generation.
“Students have the opportunity to learn outside the classroom, as they go on field trips to places such as Pulau Perhentian, Mulu National Park, Taman Negara and factories,” Assoc Prof Goh elaborated.
Monash is cognisant of the various different methods that are being bandied around by those across the academic circles, from using applications like WhatsApp to social media tools like Facebook, where e-mails were once the order of the day. The revolutionary active learning approach embedded in its courses aims to empower students.
It moves them to a more proactive setting with students themselves in the driving seat.
“In an active learning setting, students are required to come prepared. They will need to study prior to the lesson and then discuss theory, concepts or applications in the classroom with the lecturer imparting knowledge in an interactive learning environment,” explained Assoc Prof Goh.
“This approach is to encourage independent learning among the students.”
The School of Science emphasises on industry engagement. Students in the Bachelor of Medical Bioscience and Bachelor of Food Science and Technology programmes will need to complete a compulsory internship programme.
In this internship programme, students will apply their knowledge and gain relevant work experience in companies relevant to the food industry, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories or research laboratories.
As the youngest Head of School, Assoc Prof Goh espouses the importance of creating more opportunities for younger staff to be mentored by their senior colleagues.
“This is important as it will help enhance both their teaching, research and engagement profiles.
“I have had the advantage of seeing the inside out of the school and getting to know each individual staff. All these experiences have allowed me to view problems from different angles and that is my strength,” she added.
■ For more details on courses available at the School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, visit www.sci.monash.edu.my