School of Physics USM – The HEART of Regional Scientific Quest

The School of Physics USM is committed to enhancing STEM education across the region through a variety of engaging and impactful activities. Our STEM and Astronomy Outreach teams regularly organize events to inspire and support the local community. These include interactive lectures, fascinating physics demonstrations, and exhibitions that showcase the wonders of science. We also mentor students through competitions, offering them opportunities to challenge and expand their knowledge.

Hands-on activities allow participants to engage directly with scientific concepts, while workshops for teachers provide educators with innovative teaching methods. Additionally, our portable planetarium dome brings the wonders of the cosmos to schools, offering an immersive learning experience. Beyond our outreach activities, we also welcome schools and members of the community to visit the School of Physics for STEM activities, further sparking curiosity and promoting hands-on learning. Through these continuous efforts, the School of Physics is inspiring future scientists, educators, and innovators across the region, solidifying our position as the heart of the regional scientific quest.

The following community events benefited from our contributions in 2024:

USM STEM Week 2024.
Carnival Interactive Gallery Walk 2024, SMK Teluk Bahang.
Carnival STEAM & Career Day 2024, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Gambir.
Karnival Akademik & Karnival STEM, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Perempuan Sri Mutiara.
STEM Showcase, Han Chiang High School.
Matriculation STEM Carnival (MASCAR 2024), Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang.
Pesta SEM TYPE III dan EC (Enrichment Cluster) 2024, MRSM PDRM Kulim.
Program STEM B40, SMK Sungai Ara
Program STEM di SMKA Syeikh Abdullah Fahim
Karnival STEM, SMK Sungai Kapar Indah
Karnival STEM Peringkat Negeri Pulau Pinang Tahun 2024, SK Telok Ayer Tawar.
Visit from MRSM Pengkalan Chepa.
Visit from SMJK Shing Chung.

USM STEM Week 2024: A Thrilling Experience for Future Scientists

The School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was a key organizer for the highly anticipated USM STEM Week event on November 9-10, 2024. This vibrant event attracted over 1,000 participants, including students from primary and secondary schools across Penang, glowing curiosity and excitement about the world of science and physics.

As a major contributor, the School of Physics brought together a team of over 10 dedicated lecturers and more than 100 enthusiastic student volunteers, all passionate about sharing their love for physics with the next generation. Held at Dewan Peperiksaan Utama, USM the event featured dynamic live demonstrations showcasing cutting-edge areas on medical physics, geophysics, semiconductors, photonics, astronomy, and the fundamental concept of physics. The demonstrations offered a captivating glimpse into the real-world applications of physics, while also highlighting fundamental concepts in our understanding of the physical world.

In addition to the demonstrations, hands-on activities were held in the School of Physics, USM laboratories. Students had the opportunity to engage in exciting Arduino-based sensor experiments and explore the innovative applications of 3D printing, further developing their practical skills and deepening their understanding of modern physics.

USM STEM Week was more than just an opportunity to ignite young minds’ interest in physics; it also served as a platform to empower USM Physics undergraduate students, ameliorating their communication and teaching skills while nurturing the next generation of scientists. The event highlighted the importance of active, face-to-face learning through engaging activities and live demonstrations—an approach the School of Physics is championing as an essential pillar for sustainable educational practices.

Our undergraduate students also provided valuable support at the Makers USM exhibition during the event, showcasing their creativity and skills while further contributing to the overall success of USM STEM Week. By combining hands-on activities with live, engaging demonstrations, the School of Physics continues to lead the way in making physics both accessible and inspiring for students of all ages, ensuring that the future of science remains bright and promising.

STI100³ Program

The STI100³ program is funded by the Malaysia Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) whereby 100 scientists throughout the country were chosen to lead the program at 100 schools that would run within 100 days https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php/news.php?id=2354298

From the School of Physics USM, Assoc Prof Ts Dr Wan Maryam Wan Ahmad Kamil (Applied Physicist) was chosen as one of the 100 scientists to implement the program at SK Minden Height, Penang between November 2024 and January 2025. Joining from the School of Physics is Dr Yasmin Md Radzi (medical physicist).

Promoting a Culture of Scientific Thinking in Society

Prepared by the School of Physics STEM and Astronomy Team