BATU PAHAT – Excitement is buzzing at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Dato’ Syed Esa in Batu Pahat, Johor, as two distinguished representatives of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics-Engineering Technology Design (STEM-RBTK) from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE), Ir. Ts. Dr. Zaharah Johari and Ts. Dr. Mastura Shafinaz Zainal Abidin, step into the spotlight as the lead instructors for a dynamic STEM program tailored for Form 1 to Form 3 students. This innovative program, orchestrated by The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (Southern Branch) Young Engineers Section, is set to spark curiosity and enthusiasm through a hands-on exploration of microcontroller programming and robotics.

Students are diving into a rich curriculum that blends theory with practice, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the STEM-RBTK team from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), along with partners from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) and the University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM).

On January 11th and 21st, 2024, the STEM-RBTK team led exhilarating Lesson 5 sessions, immersing students in the world of robot assembly and programming. The first session was an introduction to activity as students used RobotinkerKit to experiment with robotics controllers and sensors. They assembled their robots and then ventured into the realm of mobile app development, using the Blynk App and Tinkercode to wirelessly control their creations. The focus was on programming DC and servo motors to navigate the robot’s movement and operate its gripper.

In the second session, the robots were upgraded with ultrasonic sensors, enabling students to measure distances and program their robots to avoid obstacles. The challenge culminated in a thrilling mini-robotic competition, during which students demonstrated their programming prowess. The most impressive robots, adept at navigating without collisions, were rewarded with appreciation gifts from the facilitators.

This STEM program is not just a learning experience but also a chance for students to immerse themselves in the fascinating fields of robotics and electronics. It’s designed to enhance their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for STEM, preparing them for future innovations and discoveries.

Prepared by: Ts. Dr. Mastura Shafinaz binti Zainal Abidin and Ir. Ts. Dr. Zaharah binti Johari

Source: UTM NewsHub