Penang International Science Fair 2015 (14-15 Nov, SPICE)(e/c)

PRESS RELEASE BY PENANG CHIEF MINISTER ON 5 NOVEMBER 2015

PENANG INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FAIR 2015 (14 – 15 NOVEMBER, 2015 @ SPICE)

Penang International Science Fair (PISF) is an event organized as part of the Penang Science Cluster’s(PSC) mission of “Inspiring Innovation”, which focuses on developing young minds and exposing them to science and engineering through a unique, stimulating and innovative experience. This event is a collaboration between the Penang State Government and the industries that form the backbone of the PSC.

I am very happy to announce today that the 4th Penang International Science Fair will again be held at SPICE, from 10am-7pm, Saturday, November 14h to 10am – 7pm, Sunday, November 15th, 2015. The fair cost a total of RM450K, sponsored by various MNCs and local enterprises, and joint sponsorship of the venue by the State Government, worth RM141K. This does not include the cost of exhibits brought in by the various exhibitors. As in previous years, we are expecting record crowd again this year, as in previous years. We expect to draw an expected crowd of 60,000 visitors. This is the largest international science fair in Malaysia – so large that it is the only one held in a sports stadium.

I would like to thank the Penang Science Cluster and Motorola Solutions for providing the leadership and energy to make this year’s Penang International Science fair to be another milestone for science education in Penang. Since the establishment of the Penang Science Cluster in 2009, we have successfully organized 4 international sized and quality science fairs here in Penang.

Sponsorship for this event, over the period of 4 years, have grown from 28 to 67; our exhibitors have grown from 12 to 45 and attendance increasing from 12,000 to 60,000 this year. This represents 3 times growth over 4 years on all metrics. Dr. Hari, MD of Motorola Solutions who is the organizing chair this year, will elaborate on the Science Fair activities.

PSC, as you all know by now, is a Private, Public, Partnership; set up as a non-profit, tax-exempt, organisation, with strong support from the Penang State Government and the MNCs in Penang. PSC has a mission to build a healthy pipeline of talent by sparking interest in science and technology, creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among our young in Penang and Malaysia.

PSC inspires students through hands-on, inquiry-based science and technology activities. PSC supports 110 schools in our TechMentor Lego Robotics, Embedded Systems and Coding programs with 150+ volunteer mentors and the loan of hardware and software. All the programs are free to schools.

PSC’s latest initiative is to establish science cafes in every population centres in Penang to promote the learning of STEM subjects in a fun and innovative way and to support the growth of the maker movement in Penang. PSC successfully launched PenangScienceCafé @Krystal Point in December 2013, a first for Penang, and a first in the country. More than 5000 students have attended workshops there.
Let me end by encouraging the press to publicise PISF so that all may come to enjoy the spectacular show that has been created. I strongly encourage people to come visit this fair together with their children so that they can be inspired by science and be motivated to take up STEM based careers.

The Penang International Science fair is truly a very unique event with active support from every segment of the community ranging from industry, government, universities to individuals.

LIM GUAN ENG
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槟城首席部长于2015年11月5日发表的新闻稿
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2015年槟城国际科学展 (日期:2015年11月14日至15日,地点:sPICE国际会议中心体育馆)

《槟城国际科学展》是“槟城科学圈”(Penang Science Cluster)其中一项“启蒙创意”的任务。这项活动透过别致又刺激的创新体验,开发年轻一代对科学与工程的思维。这项国际科学展是槟城州政府与槟城科学圈内的各跨过厂商共同努力的成果。

今天,我非常高兴地宣布,第四届槟城国际科学展将于2015年11月14至15日,早上10时至傍晚7时,假SPICE国际会议中心体育馆举行。有关活动耗资约45万令吉(不包括各单位的参展经费),分别由多个跨国及本地厂商承担,并由州政府赞助价值14万1千令吉的场租费。我们希望这个全国最大,且唯一在体育馆举行的科学盛会能够吸引超过6万人的参与,刷新过往的记录。

我特别感激槟城科学圈及摩托罗拉业务解决方案,它们今年的槟城国际科学展挹注了许多的心血,把州内的科学教育带上另一个里程碑。自槟城科学圈在2009年成立以来,迄今已成功地在槟城举行过4次具备国际规模与素质的科学展。

我们的赞助单位在过去四年来获得长足的增长,从28提高至67;参展单位从12增加到45,参观人数则从1万2千到6万人。摩托罗拉业务解决方案的董事经理,也是今年科学展的大会主席将会跟大家报告更详细的活动内容。

众所皆知,槟城科学圈(PSC)是公私营伙伴计划,是一个非盈利、免税获得槟城州政府及跨国厂商强力支持的组织。槟城科学圈肩负建立对科学与科技有兴趣的健全人才培养系统,在槟城乃至于在马来西亚,创造创新及创业文化。

槟城科学圈透过让学生亲手体验、不耻下问的科学精神及科技活动启迪莘莘学子。槟城科学圈赞助110间学校参与我们的乐高机器人科技启蒙课程、学习组装系统及撰写程式课程,并征得150名以上的义务科技导师及借出软硬体设施。全部的课程都是免费。

槟城科学圈最新的创举是在各人口密集的社区中心,设立科学咖啡馆,以逗趣及创新的形式,提倡学习科学、科技、工程及数学,以支持这波槟城创造力运动的成长。槟城科学圈已经成功于2013年12月在Krystal Point设立槟城乃至于全马首家科学咖啡馆。截至目前,已经有超过5000名学生参与该咖啡馆的课程。
我在此鼓励媒体帮槟城国际科学圈宣传,好让全民能在绚丽夺目的科技秀前同欢共乐。我强力推荐人们携带子女赴一场科学启蒙的亲子活动,以让子女对科学、科技、工程及数学产生兴趣,成为他们未来的事业。

槟城国际科学展是一项别具一格的活动,因为它包含了各社会层面的合作,涵盖了工业领域、政府、各大学及各个体及民众参与。

林冠英