PETALING JAYA: Evangelene Teoh was told by her relatives to stay away from the science subjects – but she went ahead and took up biology in Form Four.
The 17-year-old has no regrets. And she has her teachers to thank for it.
“My Physics teacher often conducts simple yet relatable experiments that connect to our everyday lives, while my Biology teacher is like a ‘walking biological dictionary’, always ready with answers, even beyond the textbook,” said the SMK Assunta student.
Teoh and her fellow students say the government needs to step up efforts if it wants to attract more students to learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Teoh said she finds students are often discouraged by the stereotype that the science stream is the hardest path in school.
“But that’s far from the truth. To combat this, I think the government could organise free educational science fairs or even workshops that could emphasise how exciting and relevant science is, helping to break those stereotypes,” she said.
She added that platforms such as TikTok or Instagram can be used to promote science using trends, relatable content, or even interesting short video clips.
“When students see science being presented in a fun, relatable and engaging way, they might be more enthusiastic.
“My curiosity and determination to prove others wrong outweighed my fears.
“Also, I’ve always been fascinated by how things work, and I grew up watching medical dramas with my family, which later sparked my interest in forensics,” she said.
Fellow Biology student Lim Xi Ying, 16, also said the government plays an important role in nurturing the passion for STEM among students.
“The government should invest in modern lab equipment and tools to make learning science more engaging, especially for schools in rural areas.
“Scholarships or financial incentives for science students should also be provided to reduce economic barriers and prevent a situation where students avoid taking up science due to higher costs,” she said.
She added that teachers who are supportive and passionate are equally important, adding that her science teachers make lessons engaging and easier to understand by relating concepts to daily life applications.
Both Teoh and Lim are participants of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (NiE) team.
Meanwhile, Nurul Aisyah Munawarah Asan Mohamed, 17, said the government can attract more students to the science stream by promoting the wide range of career opportunities that come with it.
