The Best Way to Learn is to Teach, Says ASTI Founder

Association of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (ASTI) founder and president, Dr. Mohamed Yunus Yasin, believes that one of the most effective ways to learn is by teaching. A process and chemical engineer by profession, Dr. Yunus began his journey as an educator while pursuing his doctorate in chemical engineering at the University of Cambridge in 2000.

“This was back in 2000,” shared the passionate educator and freelance consultant, who hails from Penang. “Later, at the end of 2012, I started ASTI.”

ASTI has since grown into a beacon of scientific and technological education in Malaysia, with nine distinct programs that cater to students of various ages. Four of these programs are held annually:

1. Science Fair for Young Children (SFYC)

SYFC is one of ASTI’s flagship programs, held annually to provide primary school students with a platform to showcase their scientific projects and experiments. This fair encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a hands-on approach to learning science. Participants gain valuable experience in presenting their ideas and receive feedback from experts in the field.

2. Young Inventors Challenge (YIC)

YIC is designed to nurture the inventive spirit among youth by encouraging them to solve real-world problems through innovation. Targeting students from Form 1 to Form 5, YIC guides participants through the process of invention, from ideation to prototyping.

“Students need to find a problem to solve and build a prototype. There must be a maker element, and it must be a product. We want to empower them to solve problems rather than just being observers,” explained Dr. Yunus.

In its 12th edition, YIC 2024 will be held online, featuring workshops and an online grand finale in November. With 326 applications from nine countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, 178 teams have been shortlisted to present their Invention Pitch videos and project reports to a panel of judges.

3. Young Technopreneur Challenge (YTC)

Building on YIC’s success, YTC encourages students to turn their innovative ideas into viable businesses, whether traditional or social enterprises. This program teaches participants the entrepreneurial journey from concept to market, offering them insights into the world of business.

“This can be a conventional business or a social enterprise,” Dr. Yunus noted, highlighting the flexibility of the program in fostering a wide range of entrepreneurial ventures.

4. ASTI Feynman Challenge

Launched during the COVID-19 lockdown, the ASTI Feynman Challenge encourages students to learn scientific concepts by teaching them. “Participants might explain Newton’s Third Law through a story or create teaching tools to illustrate complex ideas. This challenge promotes creativity and innovation in science education,” said Dr. Yunus.

5. ASTI Leap Challenge (ALC)

Similar to YIC, the ALC encourages schools to conduct innovation competitions for all their students, involving teams of five. This program provides easily accessible modules for teachers, who can download the necessary materials and guide their students through the challenge.

6. Creative and Critical Thinking Camp (CCTC)

CCTC offers boot camps and workshops designed to develop students' creative and critical thinking skills. These camps last between one and three days, providing an immersive environment where students can engage in problem-solving activities and learn to approach challenges from multiple perspectives.

7. A-PLUS Program

The A-PLUS Program focuses on teaching science concepts through hands-on activities based on the Malaysian school syllabus for Years 1 to 6, including Form 1 to Form 5. ASTI develops modules and trains teachers or parents to run these programs in their schools, ensuring that students learn by doing, which enhances their understanding and retention of scientific principles.

“As opposed to just memorising facts and figures for exams, we have developed these modules so that students can learn scientific concepts and principles in an interesting way. A-PLUS can also help students catch up with topics they may have missed during the pandemic lockdown,” Dr. Yunus explained.

8. Young Inventors’ Journal (YIJ)

YIJ is an online research journal that empowers students to write well-researched papers detailing a solution for a problem they have identified and feel strongly about. YIJ aims to introduce young people to the discipline of writing, a crucial skill for practicing critical thinking.

9. Outreach Programs

ASTI’s outreach programs extend the benefits of its initiatives to underserved communities. By partnering with schools and community organizations, ASTI ensures that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to engage with science and technology.

Encouraging STEM Education

When asked how to encourage more students to take up STEM subjects, Dr. Yunus emphasised the need to make these subjects easy and relevant. “The first step to science is observation. Then, ask questions. If there are no activities and no experiments, it becomes boring,” he said.

Dr. Yunus also highlighted the importance of selecting and training the right school principals and teachers. “The education system ought to be learner-centric. Or else, we are just freefalling…,” he warned.

With over 20 years of experience in sustainable development and education, Dr. Yunus has led impactful projects across five countries and played a key role in establishing over 20 NGOs and civil society groups. His dedication to enhancing STEM education in Malaysia earned him the Best Educator of the Year award in 2022 at the Nambikkai Star Icon Awards.

Dr. Yunus’s journey from a volunteer teacher to the founder of ASTI is a testament to the transformative power of education. Through ASTI's diverse programs, he has created avenues for young minds to explore, innovate, and excel in science and technology. By fostering creativity and critical thinking, ASTI is shaping future scientists and technopreneurs while instilling a lifelong love for learning.

Celebrating International Youth Day 2024

As we celebrate International Youth Day 2024, it’s essential to recognise the vital role of organisations like ASTI in empowering youth to become the problem solvers and innovators of tomorrow. Their work ensures that the next generation is equipped to tackle future challenges with confidence and creativity.

To support ASTI and its mission, visit their page on Sokong and consider making a donation to help empower the next generation of innovators. Click here to donate.