A BRUNEIAN team snatched three bronze medals in the Great Science Quest module, while Mohammad Nursyahmi bin Mohammad Hilmi and Abdul Wafiq bin Haji Rosaimi bagged silver and bronze medals respectively in the Great Science Pitch module for the 7th ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey (APT JSO) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July 29 to August 4.
The seven-day programme saw over 80 students and teachers from the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) region participating.
The APT JSO, themed ‘Science and Innovation for Good Health and Societal Wellbeing’ this year, is an annual competition for gifted students aged 13-15 years from the APT region to demonstrate laboratory skills in Biology, Chemistry and Physics; collaborate with students from other member countries through group projects; and compete in a country-based group poster presentation based on the theme.
The programme also provided an opportunity for students to share ideas and gain experiences through activities, while developing their research ability and cultivate creativity in the field of science and technology.
The delegation, led by Zulhezan Abdullah of Sayyidina Husain Secondary School and Special Education Unit, was represented by Mohd Nursyahmi of Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College (MSPSBS), Abdul Wafiq of Muda Hashim Tutong Secondary School, and Daniel Liew Wei En of Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar Secondary School.
The competition was divided into three main modules: the Great Science Ideas, the Great Science Quest and the Great Science Pitch.
The team also attended the Great Science Share, where the students were mentored and networked with scientists around Malaysia. Participants also showcased their country’s culture in the Great Culture Odyssey.
For the Great Science Ideas module, teams were tasked with producing a three-minute video presentation and a poster on the title ‘How can science, technology and innovation help reduce obesity by redesigning public spaces in 2030?’.
The students also set up exhibition booths to showcase their findings. The teams were judged by a panel of judges comprising lecturers from different non-APT regions, based on the reliability and feasibility of their solutions as well as their ability to communicate their findings fluently and confidently.
In the Great Science Quest, the module was divided into two parts: the outdoor module and the laboratory skills assessments. For the first part, students had to solve problems at different checkpoints using scientific, technological and innovative solutions.
For the second part, the participants had to complete experiments in the science labs on the general theme ‘infectious diseases’. The Brunei team won bronze in this module.
For the Great Science Pitch module, students were divided into mixed-nation groups, and had to solve issues in line with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Non-communicable diseases). Mohammad Nursyahmi bagged the silver medal by proposing solutions to Alzheimer’s disease, while Abdul Wafiq brought home bronze by proposing solutions to issues pertaining to diabetes.
According to Zulhezan, the APT JSO was a good platform for students and teachers to network and share their professional practices, especially in the field of science education.
“The programme set aside a separate event for teachers, called ‘APT Teachers Networking programme’, where we visited schools in Kuala Lumpur that focussed on different areas of giftedness and talents. The schools included Pusat PERMATApintar, Sekolah Seri Puteri Cyberjaya, Sekolah Menengah Pendidikan Khas Vokasional Shah Alam and Sekolah Sukan Bukit Jalil.”
The participants of the APT JSO also visited places of interest, such as Petrosains KLCC, Planetarium Negara, Masjid Putra and Dataran Putra.
“This experience strengthened my confidence, especially in communicating with others. Working with other gifted student was inspirational and an eye-opener. I am thankful for this opportunity to represent Brunei at a regional level,” said Daniel.
The students’ training for the competition was made possible through the collaboration with staff members of the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS) of Universiti Brunei Darussalam and Health Promotion Centre, Ministry of Health, held prior to their leaving for Kuala Lumpur.
The parents of the students and officers from the Special Education Unit also participated in the mock test for the poster presentation.