Published:
Pupils from international schools took part in the inaugural STEM Youth Festival at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, organised in partnership with the British High Commission.
The STEM Youth Festival is in line with the Malaysian government's aspirations to increase the percentage of students' involvement in STEM areas.
The event was designed to highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Pupils were challenged to engineer solutions and innovative responses to real world scenarios: bridge construction; car design and speed build robotics.
Professor Robert Craik said, “STEM has always been important to Heriot-Watt, not only because of the university's legacy, but also because of the important role it plays in building and shaping the modern world.
“The STEM Youth Festival is in line with the Malaysian government's aspirations to increase the percentage of students' involvement in STEM areas as the country moves toward becoming a high income nation.”
Vex Robotics equipment was supplied for the speed build robotics challenge, and highlighted the importance of working with industry to the young students.
Paul Rennie OBE, the Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia, said, “The UK places great emphasis on STEM education programmes to inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers.
“We are proud to support the growth of STEM education in Malaysia. It further strengthens the long-standing education partnership between our two countries,”
The ISP @Desa Park City student team from the robotics workshop was declared the overall winner of the STEM Youth Festival.