July 7, 2017, by Communications
Exploring Science with Microscopes
On 20 June 2017, The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) hosted a one-day event for children aged between nine to 16. The session was hosted by The Faculty of Science and saw the invitation of students from Sunway Mentari Learning Centre and IDEAS Academy to explore the available facilities that UNMC was able to offer. The project, entitled “Promoting science using microscopes”, is aimed to promote and increase an interest in science for young children.
Professor Ting Kang Nee, the Head of Department of Biomedical Sciences and lead person for the project voiced her concerns regarding the reduction of entries for science-based education: “We see an alarming reduction in the number of children picking science as their main subject during Form 5, we also saw a great decline in applications for science-based courses at higher education level.” This project gave children the opportunity to have hands-on experience with science apparatus such as the microscope. She explained that: “While these children have their respective science subjects, what they lacked was the opportunity to have hands-on activity with the equipment as they did not have the resources to do so”.
Students examining slides through a microscope
Salai Lin Lin, the president of Sunway Mentari Learning Centre, agrees with Professor Ting and said that he hopes to draw out increased interest of science-based subjects in the children. He also appreciated that the children could experience a proper class setting in a university environment.
Barthi Jain, a volunteer teacher from IDEAS Academy, expressed that she was happy that the children had the opportunity to explore and experience the different projects UNMC had to offer. “These students have not even touched a microscope; this is a good opportunity to bring them here”, stated Ms Jain. She also added that this was the first science-based program for their academy and wishes for a brighter future for the children through opportunities like this.
Ms Nisha Sandhu, another volunteer teacher from IDEAS Academy who teaches Bahasa Malaysia and dance, expressed that programs like these benefit children greatly, especially those who are about to sit for their IGCSE examinations. While IDEAS Academy has attended other programs such career talks, they did not provide hands-on experience that the children needed for subjects such as science. She also expressed hope that there will be more opportunities like this for other children.
Group photo of students from IDEAS Academy and Sunway Mentari Learning Centre
Furthermore, Professor Ting also enthused that: “We intend to continue these activities on campus, where we can invite children from local national primary schools to come and experience the microscope kit activities with us, or we can continue to invite students from learning centres that lack facilities like the lab.”
Professor Ting and her colleagues from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at UNMC are thankful and excited that the Royal Microscopial Society (RMS) in the UK agreed to sponsor 16 microscopes on loan to UNMC. The collaboration will potentially result in great benefits for budding young scientists in Malaysia.
More information is available from Professor Ting Kang Nee, Dr Sivabala Naidu or Josephine Dionisappu, PR & Communications Manager, on +6 (03) 8924 8746, josephine.dionisappu@nottingham.edu.my.
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