GEORGE TOWN, Nov 6 – The fourth consecutive year of Penang International Science Fair (PISF) will open with more exhibitors and events next week on November 14 and 15 from 10am to 7pm at the Subterranean Penang International Conference & Exhibition Centre (SPICE).
“This year, Penang Science Cluster and Motorola Solutions are also providing the leadership and energy to make this year’s Penang International Science fair to be another milestone for science education in Penang. Since the establishment of the Penang Science Cluster in 2009, we have successfully organized 4 international sized and quality science fairs here in Penang,” said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Sponsorship for this event, over the period of 4 years, the annual fair have grown from 28 to 67; exhibitors have grown from 12 to 45 and the attendance was increasing from 12,000 to 60,000 this year. This represents 3 times growth over 4 years on all metrics. Meanwhile, Lim said the event is a collaboration between the state government and industries behind the Penang Science Cluster (PSC).
The science fair will feature free hands-on science workshops, robotics and software competitions, the Young Innovate Malaysia Finals and a Makerfest featuring about 46 makers from Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Malaysia. In the meantime, there were around 4,000 slots for those interested to attend the free workshops may also pre-register at www.pscpen.com.
“PSC inspires students through hands-on, inquiry-based science and technology activities. Meanwhile, PSC supports 110 schools in our TechMentor Lego Robotics, Embedded Systems and Coding programs with 150+ volunteer mentors and the loan of hardware and software. PSC’s programmes are free for students and that PSC is mainly led by the industry,” he said.
“PSC’s latest initiative is to establish science cafes in every population centres in Penang to promote the learning of STEM subjects in a fun and innovative way and to support the growth of the maker movement in Penang,” Lim said at the press conference in his office here on Thursday.
PSC successfully launched its first PenangScienceCafé @Krystal Point in December 2013 while currently raising RM2.5 million to establish its headquarters and main science centre at the ground floor of Wisma Yeap Chor Ee are building. The state government, through Penang Development Corporation (PDC), restored the ground floor of the building and provided the space to PSC rent-free. Meanwhile, PSC has also raised so far RM2.149 million while will continue to raise more funds,” he said.
