Community Service

STF laboratory members were honoured to be invited as exhibitor in SEPUJAontop program, a STEM carnival organized by the school to promote and spark the interest for science and technologies into the pupils.

The organization of the Putra@Serdang Carnival (KPS2020) shows the role, efforts, and commitment of Universiti Putra Malaysia, Hulu Langat District Education Office and Desa Serdang National Secondary School in strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country.

KPS2020 was held for the first time at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Desa Serdang and focused on Physics. In conjunction with this carnival, various exhibition corners were opened, including Research Exhibition, Physics is Fun, Recycling@U by Coca-Cola, Rocket Mania, Magnetic Floating Train Model, UPM Expansion Bus from UPM University Community Transformation Center, UPM Faculty of Science, USIM GENIUS Insan College, Medical Radiation Safety Division, Ministry of Health and SMK Desa Serdang. Activities such as science demonstrations and science-themed games also attracted students and teachers' interest-besides a sunspot observation activity and the Rocket Challenge by the Astronomy Interest Group. The KPS2020 organization also received contributions from the UPM University Community Transformation Center.

Apart from that, the Putra@Serdang Innovation Competition (PIPS2020) introduced this year was also organized. The competition was participated by 14 teams from 13 schools around Cheras. This competition provides space and opportunity for teachers and students to develop an innovation based on Green Physics jointly and thus increase students' understanding, encourage self-learning, and provide space for students to work in a team. PIPS2020 has received full cooperation and sponsorship from the Malaysian Society for Solid State Science and Technology (MASS).

According to Dr Ihsan Ismail, Head of the National STEM Unit, Malaysia's young generation needs to be prepared to face the 4.0 industry revolution, especially by having more solid knowledge in STEM.

He also stated that educators face challenges, especially in providing attractive, easy-to-understand, and practical methods of imparting knowledge. Parents and guardians should also always encourage their children to choose the STEM pathway. Assoc. Prof. Dr Chen Soo Kien, Project Leader, Putra@Serdang 2020 Program, described the organization of the Putra@Serdang Carnival as successful in achieving the main objective.

Empowerment by the school and supported by the MOE, PPD, universities, NGOs, and parents can produce a young generation that is sustainable and has precise expertise in the field of STEM in the future.

Superconductor & thin film laboratory was visited by Form 4 students from SMK Tengku Mahmud and SMK Pelagat Jerteh in Terengganu. This program introduces students to magnetic and superconductor research and the equipment used. Laboratory tour was also given to the students.