MOSTI'S STEM AND AI WORLD EXPLORATION BRINGS EXCITEMENT TO MADANI RAKYAT PROGRAMME

GEORGE TOWN, May 3 (Bernama) -- You do not need to drive hundreds of kilometres just to visit Gua Kelam, a must-see destination when vacationing in Perlis; this popular tourist attraction can now be ‘explored’ at the Northern Zone MADANI Rakyat 2024 programme at Tapak Pesta Sungai Nibong.

The unique artificial intelligence (AI) interactive activity is presented by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) at its STEM and AI World Exploration pavilion at the three-day programme which started today.

MOSTI's deputy secretary-general (Strategic Planning Division), Datin Seri Norfaliza Ismail, told Bernama that the pavilion provides Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and AI related interactive activities, such as exploring Gua Kelam and space exploration through Virtual Reality (VR) systems.

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She mentioned that the pavilion, comprising nine booths offering a range of interactive activities, is making its debut during the second series the MADANI Rakyat 2024 programme.

"There were no STEM elements at the Central Zone MADANI Rakyat 2024 programme. This time there is an emphasis on STEM and AI. 

"There are also other hands-on activities by the National Science Centre’s northern branch, such as robots engaging with students, mathematics and science quiz activities in workshop format, and more," said Norfaliza, who is also the Head of the STEM and AI Focus programme. 

Norfaliza highlighted that other exhibitors involved in the pavillion are the National Planetarium and the National Science Centre, the governments of Penang, Kedah, and Perlis, as well as several non-governmental organisations in the field, such as the Penang Science Cluster.

She said the STEM and AI World Exploration aimed to foster interest and enhance public awareness, particularly among children, in the domains of STEM and AI. 

"This is because both fields, especially AI, are very important in our daily lives," she said, adding that they are targeting 5,000 visitors to the MOSTI pavilion throughout the three days. 

Meanwhile, visitor Noranisha Batrisyia Mohd Arjuna, 14, said she found the MOSTI pavilion very exciting because it had a variety of interactive activities, allowing her to delve deeper into STEM and AI-related learning.

"It is great because there were STEM and AI programmes at school, but nothing as interesting as this," said the student from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Penanti. 

-- BERNAMA