EMPOWERING SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH SUSTAINABLE STEM EDUCATION: A FOCUS ON WASTE RECYCLING

The project "Empowering Secondary School Students Through Sustainable STEM Education: A Focus on Waste Recycling" addresses the issue of STEM talent shortage in Malaysia.  It aims to spark interest and involvement in STEM among lower secondary school students by providing them with practical science experiences, developing their skills in creating innovative products from recycled materials, and empowering them to be enthusiastic learners and responsible citizens for a sustainable future.  The project involves activities such as bringing students to university laboratories, conducting pre- and post-survey analyses, and hands-on experiments. 

Addressing a National Need:
The project directly confronts Malaysia's challenge of a STEM talent shortage.  Current figures indicate that only 20% of secondary school students enroll in STEM-related courses, falling significantly short of the national target of 60%.  This initiative was developed in response to the "Pelan Tindakan Strategik STEM Nasional 2018-2025," aiming to cultivate a robust pool of STEM-proficient individuals crucial for the nation's progress.  It also acknowledges underlying issues such as shortages of qualified STEM educators and limitations in laboratory infrastructure.

The project was driven by three key objectives:

1. Spark genuine interest and deep engagement in practical science by bringing students into the heart of discovery – a university laboratory.
2. Develop essential practical skills by guiding students to create innovative and useful products from everyday recycled materials.
3. Empower students to become not just enthusiastic learners, but also responsible citizens passionate about creating a sustainable future.

Key Activities and Approach:
To achieve its goals, the project implemented a series of engaging activities:

1. University Laboratory Experience: Students were brought to Universiti Malaya to experience the atmosphere of higher education and conduct experiments in university laboratories.
2. Hands-on Experimentation: Practical, hands-on experiments formed a core part of the learning experience.
3. Innovative Recycling Projects: Students engaged in projects that involved creatively using recycled materials, linking STEM concepts with sustainability.    
4. Impact Assessment: Pre- and post-activity surveys were conducted to measure changes in students' interest and understanding of STEM.