The Faculty of Resource Science and Technology (FRST), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), was invited to participate in the ASCEND Science STEM Programme hosted by Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kampung Paloh, Kabong, on 19 August 2026. The programme brought together approximately 100 primary school students from SK Kampung Paloh and five other nearby schools, creating an exciting platform for young learners to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through interactive, hands-on activities.
The programme also received support from several agencies and institutions, including Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Samarahan and CENTEXS Betong, which contributed to the promotion of STEM education and awareness among primary school students. The event was officially officiated by Pegawai SIP PPD Saratok, Mr McNair Mathew Kundang, and witnessed by the headmaster of SK Kampung Paloh, Mr Ismanto bin Wahab.
The main objective of the programme was to nurture students’ curiosity and interest in science and technology through engaging practical activities. More importantly, the programme aimed to help students understand how STEM concepts are connected to their everyday lives and encourage them to develop an early interest in pursuing further studies and future careers in science, technology and engineering.
Representing FRST, Dr Hashimah binti Elias and Dr Shamrulazhar bin Shamzir Kamal, together with four postgraduate students, introduced two innovative products to the participating students: Borneo BuyunFeed Pro and the Toti2Grow Kit.
Borneo BuyunFeed Pro is an innovative alternative fish-feed formulation that incorporates ulat sago as a potential sustainable protein source. The product highlights the potential of locally available biological resources to be explored and developed into alternative feed ingredients, while promoting more sustainable approaches to aquaculture and resource utilisation.
Meanwhile, the Toti2Grow Kit is a hands-on plant science and biotechnology educational kit developed to introduce primary school students to the basic principles of plant tissue culture in a simple, safe, and engaging way. Through the activity, students were guided step-by-step in handling plant materials, planting seeds, and establishing their own simple plant cultures using the Toti2Grow Kit.
The activity allowed students to experience basic scientific procedures firsthand while learning about important concepts such as plant growth, totipotency, aseptic techniques, and biotechnology in an age-appropriate manner. Rather than simply learning these concepts from textbooks, the students were given the opportunity to observe, experiment, and learn through direct participation.
The enthusiasm of the students was particularly evident during the hands-on session. They actively participated in the activities, asked questions, and showed curiosity about how plants could be grown and developed under controlled conditions. The activity also encouraged students to work together, follow scientific procedures, and gain confidence in carrying out simple experiments.
As part of the follow-up activity, the students were encouraged to bring their Toti2Grow cultures home and monitor their plant growth and development. They were asked to record their observations and share their progress with the Toti2Grow team as part of a post-activity monitoring exercise. This continued engagement allows the students to extend their learning beyond the classroom and observe the changes taking place in their plant cultures over time.
Through this approach, Toti2Grow not only introduced students to the fascinating world of plant tissue culture but also encouraged them to remain curious and engaged with science after the programme. The continued guidance from the Toti2Grow team and plant tissue culture experts provides students with an opportunity to develop their scientific observation skills while gaining a better understanding of how biotechnology can be applied in real-world situations.
Overall, the ASCEND Science STEM Programme at SK Kampung Paloh successfully created an interactive and enjoyable STEM learning environment for the participating students. The participation of FRST, UNIMAS, through the Toti2Grow hands-on activity and the introduction of Borneo BuyunFeed Pro, further strengthened university-community engagement and demonstrated how university expertise and innovation can be brought closer to young learners. The successful collaboration between FRST, UNIMAS, SK Kampung Paloh and the participating agencies reflects UNIMAS’ commitment to strengthening its role as a community-driven university. It is hoped that similar initiatives will continue to bring science closer to local communities, inspire young learners to explore STEM, and encourage them to consider science and technology as part of their future.
Prepared by: Dr Hashimah binti Elias & Dr Shamrulazhar bin Shamzir Kamal