Learning to generate electricity using lemons
In conjunction with UTAR 10th Anniversary Celebration, the University organised a R&D Exhibition at its Petaling Jaya Campus on 6 and 7 July 2012 to cultivate students’ interest in science and research.
The two-day event comprised a science fair featuring experiments done by lecturers from UTAR Center for Foundation Studies (CFS), poster exhibitions, talks, and interactive activities. The exhibition attracted close to 400 high school students and teachers. Among them were ELC International School, Kuen Cheng High School, SMK King George V, SM Sains Alam Shah, SMK Tropicana, SMK Puteri Wilayah, Bukit Bintang Boys School and SM Vokasional Sungai Buloh.
Supervised by CFS lecturers, visitors had the opportunities to conduct several chemistry related experiments such as colour changing milk, invisible ink, red cabbage pH indicator, generating electricity by using fruits and vegetables, chemistry fun with pennies, and magic solution. Visitors also learnt to construct simple microscope, stenopeic spectacles (pinhole spectacles), upside down telescope, candle-powered steam engine boat, simple guitar, and steam- powered turbine.
Other crowd-puller included the demonstration of robotic inventions by UTAR FES lecturer Julian Tan Kok Ping. There were also science-related talks such as ‘Science and Technology in Oil and Gas Exploration’, ‘Drawing as a Tool for Seeing’, ‘Bugs: Good or Bad?’, ‘Electric Vehicle – Future Choice of Transport’, and ‘How We Use Mathematics in Our Daily Life’.
Vijaya Arumugam, a Science teacher said, “The experiments and projects displayed are simple and practical. By incorporating simple items such as eggs and lemons into experiment, students are able to see the application of science in their daily life”.
“I am very excited to be here. These experiments are really cool and I hope one day I can also create things like this”, said Zulaika, a form five student at SM Vokasional Sungai Buloh.
Visitors trying out the microscope
Lecturers from CFS demonstrating the colour changing milk experiment
CFS lecturer explaining the candle-powered steam engine boat
Visitor experimenting the invisible ink
Julian Tan demonstrating his inventions
