Adult fun: Ti enjoying a slimy experiment while Dr Hermann looks on.

The Star

Friday August 14, 2009

Carnival of school creativity

By KEVIN KAM

KUANTAN: The EMaS (E=English, M=Maths and S=Science) Fest organised by BASF Petronas Chemicals Sdn Bhd with the collaboration of the Kuantan district education office was aimed at creating a platform for students to learn through creative activities and relate to their school syllabus.

The event at Taman Pertanian Jubli Perak in Indera Mahkota here was launched by special officer to the Mentri Besar (Chinese affairs) Datuk Ti Lian Ker.

“The importance of English cannot be understated in a globally-challenging environment.

“As such, the EMaS Fest is timely and in line with the Government’s aspiration to develop world-class education and develop students’ full potential in English, Maths and Science,” Ti said in his speech.

Enlightening: Nanda explaining the importance of the eco-system to a student.

More than 1,600 students from 40 secondary schools participated in the event.

Games, riddles and puzzles related to English, Science and Maths were aplenty.

Students who registered for the activities were given a passport with which they could travel from booth to booth to complete tasks and earn passport stamps to qualify for a certificate.

BASF Petronas had a booth called Kids’ Lab where simple experiments related to everyday life could be conducted by students to understand the role of chemistry in improving the quality of life.

“With the supervision of well-trained facilitators, the students are guaranteed lots of fun and hands-on experience in chemical experiments,” said the firm’s managing director Dr Hermann Brandt.

“We make the learning of chemistry very interesting,” he said.

Prizes in cash, vouchers and hampers were presented to the outstanding booths.

The most creative activity (English) prize went to SM Tengku Panglima Perang.

Its booth named To Be or Not To Be – Learning English Through Literature had book characters such as Mathilde and Madame Forestier coming alive to teach students the many elements of literature.

“We are happy to see them learn English while being exposed to elements of poetry like personification and alliteration,” said teacher Saminder Kaur said.

SM Tengku Afzan won the most creative activity (Maths and Science) prize with its Water Surface Tension experiment.

Engaging: Students attempting to solve a puzzle at a booth.

Participants were invited to do the experiment while being briefed on the science behind it.

SM St Thomas bagged the most attractive booth title.

Using Michael Jackson’s Earth Song as a visual stimulus, their booth incorporated all the three fields of English, Maths and Science.

Students who participated in games at the festival were tested on their knowledge of the eco-system and attitude towards the environment with emphasis on the use of English.

“The Rubik’s Cube puzzle at our booth was a hit with the students,” said SM St Thomas principal P. Nanda Kumaran.