Students learn about engineering world through Curtin Sarawak’s Build and Race Competition

Miri – 29 September 2016 – Secondary school students in Miri learned more about the world of engineering through their participation in the ‘Build and Race Competition 2016’ held at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently.

The students comprised 10 teams of fourth, fifth and sixth formers from SMK Chung Hua, SMK Dato Permaisuri, Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, SMK Pujut and SMK Luar Bandar.

The competition, with the theme ‘Balloon Rocket Car’, was organised by The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Young Engineers Section (YES) of Curtin Sarawak and was held at the university’s Harry Perkin’s Lecture Theatre.

In her welcoming speech, IEM-YES chairperson Adeline Wong Set Fung said the competition was aimed at cultivating the students’ critical and creative thinking skills in a complex, problem-solving engineering activity. It also taught them effective time management, teamwork and communication.

The competition required the teams to design and build balloon rocket cars based on set specifications. They were encouraged to be as creative as possible in their designs yet keeping to the competition rules, such as using only provided materials; ensuring the length, height and width of their cars were according to specifications; and completing the task in the stipulated time.

Once completed, the cars underwent speed tests on a 2-metre track. SMK Dato Permaisuri’s car proved the fastest, clocking in at 3.31 seconds, while SMK Chung Hua and Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang were declared the second and third place finishers.

Curtin Sarawak senior lecturer of mechanical engineering Dr. Vincent Lee Chieng Chen and member of Curtin Sarawak’s Faculty of Engineering and Science’s Industrial Advisory Panel Chow Yuet Hong were the competition judges.

Organising chairperson Genevieve Ann Tang Tuang Kah said she hoped the competition helped stimulate the participants’ interest in engineering and that they will consider further studies in engineering at Curtin Sarawak, which offers courses in all the mainstream engineering disciplines, as well as in environmental and petroleum engineering, and in related sciences.

Meanwhile, vice organising chairperson Stephen Teh said he was encouraged by the high level of interest among the students and keen competition among the teams. He added that the students and their teachers are looking forward to joining similar competitions in the coming year.

Group photo of participating students, teachers, judges and organising committee members.