Arduino Programming 2024/6 – PPD Pekan (AI Assisted)
Synopsis on AI Assisted Learning @UMPSA STEM Lab module.
UMPSA STEM Lab Pioneering AI-Assisted Learning in Arduino Programming
The UMPSA STEM Lab at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education. Their innovative approach to teaching Arduino programming, focusing on digital making through circuit construction and physical computing, is reshaping how students learn and engage with technology. This blog post outlines the structured activities, from Act 1 to Act 6, that UMPSA STEM Lab uses to achieve its educational goals.
The primary aim of this AI-assisted learning initiative is to enhance school teachers’ understanding of digital making and physical computing. By incorporating AI tools such as ChatGPT, students receive personalized assistance and real-time feedback, making the learning process more interactive and effective.
mBlock Programming 2024/3 – PPD Pekan (AI Assisted)
AI-Assisted Learning in Graphical Programming in Game Development with UMPSA STEM Lab
TryEngineering: Impactful STEM Outreach
This is indeed a very systematic and resourceful learning platform for STEM advocates.
PTech 2024/1 – Kolej Vokasional Kulim – Day 2
The PTech 2024 program, a collaborative effort between UMPSA STEM Lab and IBM Malaysia Vietnam, aiming to upskill students and teachers at Kulim Vocational College. This initiative aimed to enhance STEM education with a particular focus on digital making skill sets. The two-day event was a resounding success, engaging 68 students and 6 teachers in a series of immersive and hands-on activities.
Day 1 July 31st, 2024
The event commenced with an opening session officiated by Prof Madya Dr Hamdan Bin Daniyal, the Dean of FTKEE, setting the stage for an inspiring and educational experience. The first slot featured Mr. Gajendran from IBM Malaysia and Vietnam, who introduced the philosophy behind PTech Program and its collaboration with UMPSA STEM Lab. Mr. Gajendran emphasized the importance of digital making skills and the pivotal role of the PTech program in bridging the skills gap in STEM education.
Participants were also introduced to the IBM SkillsBuild initiative, where they had the opportunity to earn their IBM certification through an AI Module. This certification not only added value to their educational journey but also equipped them with knowledge and skills that are highly relevant in today’s technology-driven world.
The second slot feature Dr Raja Mohd Taufika, Head of BTech program, in which the details and curriculum of Bachelor of Technology Program were presented.
Participants then went for faculty and campus tour.
Day 2 Aug 1st, 2024
Day 2 was packed with hands-on activities that brought learning to life. Students and teachers focused into UMPSA STEM Lab Arduino Robotics and Python Programming modules, gaining practical experience and developing their first game, the “Slider Game,” using Python. This activity not only introduced them to programming concepts but also highlighted the creative potential of coding.
Participants further explored digital making skill sets through physical computing in the Arduino Robotics module. Using the UMP STEM Bot, a 2-wheel miniature robot, they learned how to interact with microcontrollers and sensors. This included programming the robots to read IR sensors and follow lines, enhancing their understanding of robotics and sensor integration.
PTech 2024 Outcomes
The PTech 2024 program at Kulim Vocational College was designed to nurture essential digital making skills among students and teachers. By engaging in activities that combined creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the digital world.
The collaborative efforts of UMPSA STEM Lab and IBM aimed to equip the next generation with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape. The success of this program underscores the importance of such initiatives in fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
As the PTech 2024 program continues to inspire and educate, it reaffirms the commitment of UMPSA STEM Lab and IBM to advancing STEM education. The participants’ enthusiasm and achievements during the event are a testament to the transformative power of hands-on, experiential learning. By empowering students and teachers with digital making skill sets, the program paves the way for a brighter and more innovative future.
A special appreciation goes to Ts. Roslinda Binti Roslan, Head of the Electronics Program, for her outstanding coordination, facilitation and communication between the participants and the UMPSA STEM Lab, as well as to all the teachers for their support and guidance throughout the program.
Stay tuned for more updates and stories from PTech 2024 as we continue to explore new frontiers in STEM education and digital making skills.
Nurul Hazlina Noordin
Aug 1st 2024
PTech 2024 – Kolej Vokasional Kulim – Day 1
Python Programming 2024/1 – MRSM Tun Abdul Razak
*UMP STEM Lab Python Programming Synopsis can be found here.
30 students and teachers from MRSM Tun Abdul Razak Pekan had participated in this program. Students have gone through activities such as creating a video game, named as Slider Game, using Python Programming.
The Slider Game is a puzzle game where players move a character within a grid to reach a goal. The challenge is to navigate the player and hit the enemies. This game helps beginners learn programming concepts and develop problem-solving skills. It started off by learning Python, a beginner-friendly language, and use the Pygame library to create the game environment, handle graphics, and manage user input. Students later progress to understand the basics like variables, loops, and conditionals. They later proceed to implement movement and collision detection, adding winning conditions and polish the game with features like scoring.
Developing a game reinforces programming concepts.It enhances logical thinking and creativity. The interactive nature of games keeps learners motivated. Games provide immediate feedback, helping learners correct mistakes quickly.
Thank you Fadhillah for coordinating the communication between UMP STEM Lab and the participants.
mBlock Programming 2024/2 – SMK Seri Saujana
A synopsis of the program can be retrieved via the following link.
In the program, 30 participants from SMK Seri Saujana were introduced to mBlock programming, learning to use its graphical interface to create sequences of instructions. They explored sequential programming, conditional statements, and loops through hands-on tutorials. These foundational skills were applied in two projects: a Snake game and a Pac-Man game. In the Snake game, they programmed the snake’s movement, growth, and collision detection, while in the Pac-Man game, they navigated a maze, collected points, and avoided ghosts. This approach provided a comprehensive understanding of programming concepts and their practical applications.
Appreciation to Cikgu Hans for coordinating the communication between the participants and UMP STEM Lab.
MOE Curriculum Development Workshop