Final-year English for Global Communication students, Faculty of Education, Language and Communication, UNIMAS, concluded their SULAM community engagement with STEM activities and gardening to enrich the school.
By Jawai Anak Maurice (Final-Year Student of the English Global Communication Programme, FELC)
Excitement and curiosity filled the grounds of Sekolah Kebangsaan Tebedu, Serian, as 80 final-year students from the English for Global Communication Programme (EGC), Faculty of Education, Language and Communication, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), carried out their SULAM (Service-Learning Malaysia) community engagement initiative on 25th November 2025. Conducted as part of the students’ PBW4293 Community Engagement course, the programme was guided by Project Director Puteri Aisyah Umayrah and facilitated by Course Instructor, Dr. Salinayanti Salim.
Proposed by the school principal Mr. James Anak Mandar, the initiative introduced interactive STEM activities, gardening projects, and a vibrant mural contribution to spark creativity and learning among preschoolers, primary school students, and Special Education Integration Programme students. For many of the children, this marked their first connection with participants outside their immediate community, highlighting the joy of discovery and collaboration through STEM.
Throughout the day, 204 students facilitated a wide range of engaging STEM activities tailored to different age groups. To begin with, students explored decoding math puzzles, memory games, and straw engineering challenges meanwhile, others experimented with magnetic slime, launched rockets, and raced balloon cars. In addition, booths featuring volcano models, lava lamps, and puffy fish crafts added excitement, while gardening sessions further introduced pupils to sustainability by planting and labeling flowers with scientific names.
Moreover, the mural team brightened the school environment by painting colorful designs that reflected creativity and community spirit. Importantly, the inclusive programme also ensured participation from preschoolers and the special education students, who enjoyed sensory games, coloring, and creative projects that encouraged imagination and focus. By bringing together a range of activities, the event created a vibrant space for shared experiences and collaborative spirit within the school community.
The primary school pupils enjoyed every moment of the programme, with laughter and excited screams echoing across the school grounds especially during the Rock and Launch booth, where rockets soared into the sky and many pupils eagerly lined up for a second turn. Their enthusiasm and active participation reflected genuine curiosity and joy in learning. EGC students and their lecturer worked hand-in-hand with the school community, fostering teamwork and sparking interest in STEM.
This programme was not merely an academic requirement for final-year students; it was a meaningful opportunity to connect with the community, build relationships, and create lasting memories. Through shared experiences, collaborative activities, and inclusive engagement, the STEM Explorer Day strengthened the bond between UNIMAS and SK Tebedu, laying the foundation for future partnerships rooted in education and creativity.
The collaboration was a success which demonstrated the power of education and creativity in shaping young minds, while giving EGC students meaningful real-world engagement. This initiative also highlighted the potential for future partnerships, paving the way for more impactful programmes that nurture curiosity, teamwork, and a passion for lifelong learning across both university and school communities. The event concluded with joyful smiles and a shared sense of accomplishment, captured in photographs by the EGC students and the media team.
Photo taken by the Media Team.