SPARK Playground brings financial literacy and hands-on learning to Miri primary school students

Miri, Sarawak – 4 October 2026 – Learning came alive at SK Tudan as primary school students from across Miri explored financial literacy, creativity, language and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) through a series of hands-on challenges at the SPARK Playground and Financial Education event organised by Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia).

Held in conjunction with the SK Tudan Open Day, the outreach programme brought together students and teachers from SK Tudan, SJK (C) Chung Hua Tudan, SK Merbau, SK Senadin, SK Kuala Baram II and SJK (C) Chung Hua Lutong for a day of interactive learning beyond the traditional classroom.

The event was graced by Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Minister for Transport Sarawak, who attended as the guest of honour for both the SK Tudan Open Day and the SPARK Playground and Financial Education event.

The programme was jointly delivered by Curtin Malaysia academics and SK Tudan teachers, led by Allnie James, with the school’s Highly Immersive Programme (HIP) providing the framework for the SPARK activities. The initiative created an English-rich learning environment where students could develop practical skills through collaboration, experimentation and play.

One of the key attractions was FinPintar: Coin City Financial Challenge, a gamified financial literacy application developed by an academic team from Curtin Malaysia’s Accounting and Finance Department comprising Dr. Alpha Anak Ngadan and Dr. Hosam Alden Riyadh A. Alezeez.

The interactive game invited students to build their virtual “Coin City” by collecting coins, earning badges and answering financial literacy questions across three levels.

Rather than simply learning about budgeting and spending from a textbook, the students were encouraged to make decisions and apply financial concepts as they progressed through the game.

Students who completed Level 3 and secured a place on the live leaderboard received vouchers sponsored by ZUS, Parkson and KFC, adding an element of friendly competition while reinforcing the learning experience.

For the young participants, the game was more than a lesson in money management. One student described the experience as exciting and said it helped him learn valuable lessons about spending wisely.

SK Tudan Headmistress Lim Ai Giok said introducing financial literacy at an early age was important not only for students but also for parents.

“To bring this to life, our school proactively organises hands-on financial education initiatives, including collaborative programmes with Curtin Malaysia. For instance, the sales stalls set up during our Open Day serve as a practical platform to embed these financial concepts directly, actively engaging parents and the broader community alongside the children.”

Under the leadership and support of Dr. Anita Jimmie, Associate Dean for External Engagement of the School of Pre-University and Continuing Education (SPACE), Curtin Malaysia’s education outreach team delivered a diverse programme of experiential activities designed to encourage curiosity, problem-solving and teamwork.

Activities included Binary Beads, Smart Spender Challenge, Overly-Complicated Tongue Twisters, Tinkercad Hero Design Challenge, Boggle, Magic Line STEAM Challenge, Purple Cabbage pH Challenge and Fly High, Land Safe!

From sorting beads and solving language challenges to designing digital creations and experimenting with pH, the activities gave students opportunities to learn by doing while developing communication, creativity and critical-thinking skills.

The SPARK Playground demonstrated how collaboration between universities and schools can create meaningful learning experiences that connect academic knowledge with real-world applications.

By bringing together financial literacy, language learning, technology, creativity and STEAM, the initiative turned SK Tudan into a lively learning space where students could explore new ideas, work together and discover that learning can happen well beyond the classroom.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin (right) presents a certificate of appreciation to Dr Alpha Anak Ngadan, witnessed by Lim Ai Giok (2nd right) and others.

Students take on the interactive “Binary Beads” challenge.