Curtin Croc Challenge and faculty-run competitions among highlights of Curtin Malaysia Carnival

Miri – 2 August 2018 – Visitors to the Curtin Malaysia Carnival 2018 at the campus of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) here on 25 August 2018 will get to witness a number of exciting competitions between teams from secondary schools.

The competitions and many of the other activities during the Carnival, are targeted at potential students and designed to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and future study in the university’s wide range of engineering, science, technology, business and arts programmes.

The largest competition will be the Curtin Croc Challenge 3.0, Curtin Malaysia’s signature annual crocodile-themed electronic design competition open to students in Forms 3 to 6. Its third edition this year will see 10 teams vying for cash prizes amounting to RM3,500.

The competition fosters critical thinking among students using real-life design case studies. Over the last two years, it has encouraged participants to explore the use of simple electronics and basic programming to sense the presence of crocodiles, and provide alarm systems to warn of crocodile intrusion. This time around, it will involve developing embedded systems and mechanisms to trap crocodiles for relocation.

The competition is both educational and fun, with a mechatronic workshop conducted to teach the participants the basics of electronic system design and programming, guidance provided by academics and student ‘technology mentors’ of the university throughout the design and prototype building stage, and keen competition between teams on competition day. Their supporters can see them in action at Curtin Malaysia’s Library & Auditorium Complex between 10 am and 5 pm.

Apart from the Curtin Croc Challenge, there will be faculty-run competitions like the ‘Spelling Bee Challenge’ for students in Forms 4 to 5 and the ‘Eco-Business Design Challenge’, a business competition for students in Forms 3 to 5, organised by the Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Business respectively.

Eight teams from local secondary schools and one in Brunei have so far signed up for the ‘Spelling Bee Challenge’, while 5 teams have registered to compete in the ‘Eco-Business Design Challenge’.

The ‘Spelling Bee Challenge’will be held in the LTBS1 lecture theatre at the Faculty of Business Building, from 9 am to 2 pm. Designed to promote students’ knowledge of proper word usage and encourage them to strive for excellence in spelling skills and other educational pursuits, it will include two elimination rounds and a grand final. The winning teams will walk away with cash prizes and medals, and all participants will receive certificates of participation.

The Eco-Business Design Challenge’, meanwhile, is aimed at instilling an entrepreneurial and business sustainability mindset among secondary school students and highlighting business studies at Curtin Malaysia. It will take place in the LTBS 1 lecture theatre, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Competing in teams of eight, the students will propose creative products made from recycled materials and pitch them to a panel of judges. Their products must incorporate the business sustainability concept and somehow improve the lives of users. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams and all participants will receive souvenirs and certificates of participation.

The Curtin Malaysia Carnival 2018 promises to give visitors an exciting taste of life at what is the largest Australian international campus in the world, as well as Curtin University’s largest international campus and global hub in Asia.

Geared to offer a fun, hands-on learning experience in a festival-like atmosphere, it will be a chance for potential students to explore the campus, learn about the courses it offers, and speak with lecturers and current students. Each year, the event attracts thousands of visitors and a sizeable crowd is expected again this year, including over 500 secondary school students.

Potential students can gather valuable information on courses, enrolment and scholarships and join guided tours of the campus at the ‘Future Students Hub’. They can also visit interactive showcases of Curtin Malaysia’s three faculties and graduate school, as well as a STEM Exhibition, at the ‘Faculty Showcases’.

In addition, there will be food and retail stalls, a community corner, day-long entertainment and other attractions.

For more details of the Curtin Malaysia Carnival 2018, visit its Facebook event page at https://bit.ly/2M5i8Vt. For enquiries, contact Curtin Malaysia’s Corporate Communications Department at +60 85 443 806 or email corpcomm@curtin.edu.my.   

Competitions see keen competition between school teams.

A team pitching its project to judges at last year’s Curtin Croc Challenge.