Junior Engineering Challenge: Notes of Experience.

Bismillahirahmanirahim...

Last two days (Wednesday), when Kak Yam (a colleague) approached me at my office asking me whether I could do some coverage at Junior Engineering Challenge in IIUM yesterday (Thurday), I instantly say "Yes''...hihi. What a coincidence that my class only started at 2:35pm...of course with permission from the headmaster to do external coverage (photos on previous entries).

The aim of sending the students is to give them exposure in joining such programme and encourage them to be more creative, either in their studies or daily skills.

Noted: I think I and Kak Yam are excited as they do in the challenge. Rasa macam nak buat, tapi dah melibihi had umur... bagi idea dari tepi je la kan =).

30 minutes were given to finish each challenge : 1) Bridge Structure (2) Egg in the Parachute.

At 11:30am, we gathered at C.A.C Main Hall for some sharing moment sessions with the 2nd Malaysian Astronaut, Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed. A lot of things are learn from his talk. Amongst them are:

1) The tests that the candidates had to pass before proceeding to the next challenge. Physical and psychological test as well as weather and survival tests.

2) Soyuz Capsule structure.

3) The ISS (International Space Station) is actually a lab located in the outer space. It orbits the earth 25 times per day for every 90 minutes. So goes the story of Around The World in 80 Days... I can't imagine how big is the structure. How could it float with all the heavy structures?

Sesungguhnya Allah SWT mengurniakan 'aql kepada manusia untuk berfikir...

Thought about this just now upon reaching home...

But what is more amazing is that planet earth is only a tiny bit of the Solar System and the Solar System is only a tiny portion of the Milky Way Galaxy...and...Milky Way Galaxy is only a small structure of a larger system... Subhanallah! Masya Allah! Allahu Akbar!

4) Oxygen system in the outer space...I mean their spaceship and space suit. 9 hours of supply in case of emergency...after few processes (its a long story though) if accidents occur.

5) Fiqh as- Solat. How could they tell the prayer times during their course of stay in the outer space. The knowledge its not only important to them but also for the rest of us (mana tau tiba-tiba kena pos gi bulan ke...).

What I understand is that, the prayer time is determined by the prayer times of the place where the capsule is launched. That's why astronauts usually wear more than 1 watch (some would wear 3 watches).

p/s: The Standard 1 students loves to watch any airplane or jets that are flying in the sky. And I always say to them " Nak naik bulan, kena belajar rajin-rajin...''

Allah Knows Best

Junior Engineering Challenge: Engineers in Action

Bismillahirahmanirahim...

Some moments captured throughout the event.

Imagine having to spend the whole day with them. Cheerful and cheeky... (at Wataniah's Booth)


Thinking and planning session

Construction in progress

First challenge (Bridge Structure): Managed to gain Top 10 Finalist...Alhamdulillah.

Challenge 2 (Egg in The Parachute): Getting ready to launch their parachute...the eggs landed safely without any cracks =)

Busy taking the balloons. Asal depa bahagia udah...ni tak masuk agenda ye anak-anak
Peace =)

Junior Engineering Challenge: Future Engineers =)

Bismillahirahmanirahim...

Alhamdulillah today, our school had the chance to join the Junior Engineering Challenge organized by ENGINIUS IIUM. Here are the eight lucky chosen students.









Allah Knows Best

Exam oriented?

Bismillahirahmanirahim…

Recently, there was a proposal to abolish the Ujian Penilaian Menengah Rendah (UPSR) and Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination. The reason? They said that students nowadays are too exam oriented. Some people agreed and some didn’t. For those who wish to further their studies to boarding schools, they may opt to take special entry test.

From a student’s perspective

I just smiled while scheming into the news …imagining what would those who think that UPSR and PMR are too much if they are in my place (and some others who are in the same boat with me). Starting from Junior 5 at International Islamic College (Primary) in 1998, I was required to take Junior School Leaving Examination (JSLE). During Standard 6, I moved to a local Islamic school and took 2 exams in the year 1999- Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Sijil Penilaian Rendah Agama (SPRA). In 2000, I took the Ujian Penilaian Peralihan- an exam which is a must for Tingkatan Peralihan students of Yayasan Islam Kelantan schools. In 2001, there comes the Penilaian Menengah Rendah Ugama (PMRU). 2002, Peniliaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) and the final mission in 2004- Sijil Penilaian Malaysia (SPM). 7 in total. So kids, do not complain as you got only 3 big exams to face.

As for the preparations, frankly speaking, I hate the idea of tuitions and going to tuitions. Except for the Saturday class during Secondary 5 which I dug up RM 20 out of my own pocket money for the fees each month. I only have the time span of 8 months to prepare for my UPSR examination (which means I have to revise everything from standard 4-6 syllabus within this period) as the years before that I spent at a school with Singapore education syllabus. The only thing I am a little obsessed is buying exercise books (pantang nampak kedai buku).

School extracurricular activities that I enjoyed are Pergerakkan Syabab & Fatayat Malaysia (same level as Pengakap/ Scout) with its monthly and yearly camping, some sewing activities; Handball Club and other usual school activities. No music class, piano class, self-defense class to cramp my schedule. To enjoy music, I just hum to myself or listen to the radio.

Results? Please don’t ask the details how this ‘late bloomer’ scored (malu…). But I didn’t cared much. I mean, I am quite satisfied with what I obtained. I don’t look forward to be on the cover of newspapers as the country’s top scorer. I don’t look forward to be in boarding school. Got the offer to go to Maahad Muhammadi (P) Kelantan during Secondary 1 but I declined the offer and choose to go to a religious school in Selangor instead.

A teacher’s perspective

I am fortunate to have the opportunity to teach at two different schools. In 2005, I was given the opportunity to teach tahap 1 students (standard 1-3) and in 2008 a teacher for standard 2, 5, and 6. The 2008 exposed me to students in the exam moods (standard 6). After the official school hours finished at 2:30pm, I have to stay back until 5:30pm for their extra class. Teaching in class is a very tiring job but you are surely to put a smile when the results are released. I didn’t expect that everyone would get flat 5 as I am aware that different students have different abilities. It is enough for me, as a teacher, for the students to have good manners, adab and akhlaq.

I myself sometimes would stress out if I followed each and every nook of the text book. How about those students? To give a fun experience in learning, I sometimes gave them word puzzles that are related to the syllabus. I could observed that they enjoyed very much each time there are word game sessions- especially during the extra classes hour.

The conclusion?

In my humble opinion, I would just say that “Let the exam stays”. But the important thing is study at your own pace. Not everyone have the IQ of super- genius. Everyone have their own strengths and weakness. Exam is not the end. Exam is just a test. There are seven types intelligence, as Gardner says. Not just mathematics and numbers.

Manage your time. Have a good rest. Not everyone needs tuition. To save time and energy, make full use of your class hours.

Genius: Bermulanya Sebuah Kajian.

Bismillahirahmanirahim...

Alhamdulillah kerana dimurahkan rezeki dan dimudahkan urusan untuk membeli beberapa buah buku sebagai langkah awal untuk memulakan research berkenaan kanak-kanak atau golongan genius. Antara buku-buku tersebut ialah:







Rabbi yassir wala tu'assir, rabbi tammim bikhair. Ya Allah permudahkanlah urusan dan perjalananku. Dan berkatilah urusanku agar menjadi manfaat kepada umat seluruhnya. Ameen..

p/s: Sukanya saya dapat buku baru (^_^)