Open AccessENCOURAGING STEM INTEREST AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH JIC AND YSSC COMPETITION
Author(s) -
Sitty Nur Syafa Bakri,
Suriana Lasaraiya,
Nurliyana Juhan,
Che Haziqah Che Hussin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of information system and technology management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0128-1666
DOI - 10.35631/jistm.623015
Subject(s) - competition (biology) , presentation (obstetrics) , psychology , interpersonal communication , medical education , pedagogy , mathematics education , social psychology , medicine , biology , ecology , radiology
To cultivate STEM interest amongst high school students, a STEM carnival organized by PPST, UMS was conducted through Junior Innovator Competition (JIC) and Young Scientist Sci-Show Competition (YSSC). The competitions were participated by high school students from Sabah, Sarawak, and F.T Labuan. JIC requires a poster presentation for prototype innovation while YSSC requires a short video presentation about science knowledge learned in the school syllabus. The objective was to gauge JIC and YSSC effectiveness in students’ interest in STEM. A three-star rating Malaysia Research Assessment Instrument (MyRA) questionnaire resulted in 80% total feedback (Q1-Q6), as a principal in MyRA. The result indicated knowledge, attitude, skills, and aspiration (KASA) transformation amongst the students. Three main aspects were summarized from Q1-Q6: learning (Q1 & Q2), interpersonal skill (Q3 & Q4), and STEM interest (Q5 & Q6). Around 82% of students agreed that JIC and YSSC were able to increase their knowledge, interpersonal skills around 81%, as well as 84 - 88% in critical thinking. While 83.7% - 85.3% of students satisfactorily increased their STEM interest and 85% were willing to participate in future competitions. Interestingly, some ex-participants entered the PPST for Foundation in Science. Indeed, competitions such as JIC and YSSC have demonstrated an inclining STEM interest effect toward high school students.