KUCHING: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has launched a social campaign called ‘STEM it up!’ that aims to bust the myths and negative stereotypes about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education among parents and school-going children.
The social campaign is undertaken by the university’s Persuasive Communication final year students from the School of Communication in collaboration with Shell MDS (M) Sdn Bhd.
The university stated that according to research, STEM subjects accounted for 47 per cent of students in Malaysia while pure science subjects accounted for only 19 per cent.
“This campaign intends to create and increase awareness about STEM education and career opportunities specifically among students aged 13 to 22, parents, and job seeks in STEM related fields,” it said in a press statement on Today (Nov 23).
USM stated that the STEM it up! campaign will be organising various events throughout the campaign suitable for different age ranges with different targeted objectives to be achieved.
Among the events that will be held are STEM Safe Space which is a fun sharing session programme targeting to boost their confidence and to be involved in the STEM field with invited guest speakers; STEMreotypes Growing Minds which is a communication forum that aims to provide suggestions to tackle STEM negative stereotypes and STEM Quest which is a physical roadshow in Bintulu to introduce Shell MDS and Stem it up!
In addition to that, Journey with STEM is a seminar on STEM career path and job opportunities with Shell MDS; STEM Xplore will be a session with booths and interactive games all in one location as well as STEM Challenge which is an interactive Science and Technology presentation competition to allow and encourage students to be more active in STEM field particularly in Science and Technology.
Vice President of Shell MDS Amir Hamzah Abu Bakar pointed out that family members, peers, and especially social influencers play an important role in order to create more interest in STEM among students.
“Speaking from my personal experience, I was influenced by both my parents who are teachers in my journey with STEM. This has also further influenced my own son to follow in my footsteps,” he said.
The launching ceremony of STEM it up! campaign took place on Wednesday (Nov 23) in the presence of Amir Hamzah, Public Relations Manager of Shell MDS Adriana Jute, School of Communication Dean Associate Professor Dr Bahiyah Omar, School of Communication Deputy Dean Dr Mohamad Saifudin Mohamad Saleh, Chairperson of Undergraduate Studies Dr Rani Ann Balaram and over 136 participants.
