Declining of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) interest among students is a global concern and threatens nations’ competitiveness in ever-changing global marketplace. The dwindling interest in STEM enrolments at high schools and university education often associated to lack of excitement or feeling of inferiority towards taking up STEM subjects. Toys incorporate design thinking to deliver intended functions, serve as excellent learning opportunities for student to see science in total action. In this project, a team of students and lectures co-developed science annotated learning modules using toys (in the form of Science Kit) and used as teaching aid for Science subject in the lower secondary and primary classes. The kit contains lessons and learning activities that are related to toys and offer students to learn science in an integrated approach. Experiential learning activities were carried out using these modules by young learners and monitored by teachers and volunteers. Six schools with a total of 11 teachers and 198 pupils participated in the activities. The impact of the project to the young learners was measured through competition and quiz after the activity. Data were collected through classroom observations and questionnaires. The questionnaires gauge students’ realization of the need of developing multiple skills (perseverance, critical in thinking, creativity, teamwork). The questionnaires and feedback analysis indicate that students and teachers were satisfied with the content, learning activities and integrated approach of the kit. Standardized science experiment sets are expansive and designed with exclusivity. With the renewed emphasis in science practical sessions in STEM modules, there surely be escalation in cost of refurbishing of school laboratories with possible variation in the availability of full modules/sets. Toying with Science offered a frugal educational resource supplements if not the alternative. Students are also exposed to assimilate various transferable skills such as in functional and/or aesthetic designs, first principle thinking, team work and self-esteem.
