RCE Central Semenanjung - 2019

Location

Malaysia
See map: Google Maps
MY
DIY Made Simple Competition: An Experiential Learning for Student Development
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
DIY Made Simple Competition: An Experiential Learning for Student Development
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Central Semenanjung
Contributing organization(s) : 
RCE Central Semenanjung, hosted by University of Malaya
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Associate Professor Dr Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin
Organizational Affiliation: 
Director of The Community & Sustainability Centre UM (UMCares)
E-mail: 
amersiddiq@um.edu.my
Name: 
Nor Azlin Mat Radi
Organizational Affiliation: 
Research Officer of The Community & Sustainability Centre UM (UMCares)
E-mail: 
azlinmr@um.edu.my
Name: 
Muhamad Khairul Anuar Senin
Organizational Affiliation: 
Project Officer of The Community & Sustainability Centre UM (UMCares)
E-mail: 
anuar_89@um.edu.my
Format of project: 
Audiovisual, powerpoint presentation and product development
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Friday, November 1, 2019
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Malaysia
Location(s): 
Throughout Malaysia
Address of focal point institution for project: 
​The Community and Sustainability Centre (UMCares)
Level 6, UMCares Green Office, Research Management Innovation Complex (RMIC),
50603, Kuala Lumpur,
MALAYSIA.
Ecosystem(s):
Urban/Peri-urban
Target Audience:
Secondary
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
As a response to the global problem on managing waste, it is important to create the awareness from young and to convert wastes to useful products where possible. This program aims to instill the value of creativity using waste among school students and as a platform for the students to show their ability to improve their school spaces and facilities. The program promoted the 'upgrading' (adding value) and 'recycling' (reusing) of discarded materials through interesting activities, rather than the standard education on waste management. This program will contribute to the achievement of SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Target 5 which stated "By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse".
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
November, 2019
Rationale: 
This program was designed as part of experiential learning among students at school. Experiential learning in school is a process that will help children to visualize, think and experience the learning process rather than the normal classroom style. This cognitive learning will enhance the children’s ability to understand better on the subject matter. Experiential learning engages children in critical thinking, problem solving and decision making in contexts that are personally relevant to them. In Malaysia, teaching pedagogy through experiential learning at school is still limited.
Objectives: 
A supportive and engaging learning environment is an important element for student success. Research findings showed that schools facilities have a profound impact on both teachers and students outcomes. Better infrastructures and facilities affect teacher’s recruitment, retention and effort they give in teaching and work. As for students, it affects their learning, behavior, health, and growth in general and academically. However, it is undeniable that improving the quality of school infrastructure and facilities can be expensive. DIY Made Simple is a program that aims to improve minor infrastructure and facilities of the participating schools which the problems will be identified by the students. The students will then need to propose suggestions by incorporating the utilization of recycled materials to repair and maintain the school infrastructure and facilities. Utilization of school waste is promoted in this program to show the economic benefits of its usage. This program will also encourage creative thinking as the students need to present their ideas in a form of video.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
DIY Made Simple Competition is a competition-based program for secondary schools in Malaysia since 2017. The program started in a small-scale (opened to selected schools by invitation) and expended throughout Malaysia in 2018. In 2019, this program were opened to all secondary schools in Malaysia as well international schools through other RCE members. For the national level, the competition involved submission of ideas in the form of video and product development by the schools which a short-listed. Product development were done by the students, with guidance from experts in Faculty of Built Environment (University Malaya) and expected to be completed within 3 months. As for the international level, participant need to submit video of the project in the same nature.

This program have created positive impacts to all parties involved especially the school students. Based on the feedback received, this program have showed as a good platform to teach the students not only on hard and soft skills, but also life skills such as responsibility, self-confidence, critical thinking and problem solving.
Size of academic audience: 
Secondary school students of maximum 8 students in a group, with assistance and guidance of 2 mentors
Results: 
1.This program managed to gather industry, government, university and community which showed a good example of quadruple helix cooperation.
2.The students acquired new knowledge, skills and encouraged creative thinking through presentation of ideas in virtual video.
3.This program has also enhanced the quality and innovative talents through creation of new product and upgrades of existing facilities at participating schools.
4. Great spill-over effect from the students which greatly benefited to the school, families and communities in terms of waste management, DIY skills and SDG.
Lessons learned: 
"DIY Made Simple Competition" have created a good platform to teach the students not only on hard and soft skills, but also life skills such as responsibility, self-confidence, critical thinking and problem solving.
Key messages: 
The uniqueness of this program lies in strong partnership of the government (Ministry of Education Malaysia), higher institution (Univ. Malaya), industry (Mr DIY and Tesco) and community (students & teachers). Each of the entity plays different roles but leading towards a common objective – to develop quality students and ultimately quality citizens.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
For 2019, RCE Central Semenanjung has invited all RCE especially in Asian countries to participate in this competition. We are grateful to receive application from RCE Dhaka for the project titled- Waste to Resource for Sustainable Education
Funding: 
This project received funding support from University of Malaya through UM Community and Sustainability Centre or UMCares as the Secretariat for RCE Central Semenanjung.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon PHOTO-2018-10-04-16-51-05_1.jpg (145.36 KB) Shelter area with plastic water bottle as roof
Image icon IMG-0388.JPG (2.39 MB) Storage tree made from unused paint container
Image icon IMG-20190512-WA0011.jpg (135.16 KB) Interview session on the program
Image icon DIY in Media.jpg (60.41 KB) DIY Made Simple Competition featured in Media Focus Malaysia
Image icon IMG-20191115-WA0000.jpg (76.19 KB) Product by the Students featured in Media
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Indirect
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Indirect
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Arts 
Indirect
Curriculum Development 
Indirect
Forests/Trees 
Indirect
Waste 
Direct
Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development – Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Building capacities of educators and trainers 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Empowering and mobilizing youth 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
Indirect
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Indirect
Update: 
No